Nifedipine delays the acquisition of tolerance to ethanol.

Rats were trained to remain on a motor-driven belt until they reached a criterion of not exceeding 1% error (1.2 s off the belt) in a 2 min trial. Upon completion of training, animals were treated with nifedipine and/or ethanol and were tested for degree of impairment after an i.p. injection of 2 g/kg ethanol solution on test days. Chronic nifedipine treatment enhances the acute ethanol effects on motor impairment and delays the acquisition of tolerance to ethanol. Results suggest modification of brain calcium channel activities could delay the development of tolerance to ethanol and may prevent ethanol-induced organic brain damage.