Antinociceptive effects of the novel anxiolytic buspirone in three pain tests in rats.

The analgesic efficacy of the novel anxiolytic buspirone in tests of acute thermal, mechanical and formalin-induced chemical-inflammatory pain were examined. Buspirone produced dose- and time-dependent analgesia in all nociceptive tests, with greatest effects against chemical and mechanical pain. Buspirone was less potent in the thermal pain test. Locomotor and overt behavioral activities were unaffected at any dose tested. These data suggest the potential use of buspirone in the management of specific types of pain.