Mechanical and thermal antinociception in rats following systemic administration of mibefradil, a T-type calcium channel blocker.

Voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels play a crucial role in pain perception. We studied the antinociceptive potential of systemically administered mibefradil, a peripherally acting antihypertensive agent and preferential T-type Ca(2+) channel blocker. Systemic injections of mibefradil, in clinically relevant doses, induced mechanical and thermal antinociception in adult rats without compromising their sensorimotor abilities. This suggests that peripherally acting T-type Ca(2+) channel blockers can be useful antinociceptive agents.