Studies on the effects of certain 5-HT-3 receptor antagonists on ethanol preference and withdrawal seizures in the rat.

We tested how certain antagonists of 5-HT-3 receptors affect ethanol consumption and withdrawal seizures in ethanol-dependent Wistar male rats. Low doses of tropisetron (0.001-0.01 mg/kg ip) and ondansetron (0.00025 mg/kg ip) reduced ethanol consumption and preference. Increased ethanol intake was observed, however, after administration of higher doses of ondansetron (0.125 g/kg ip) and granisetron (0.125-0.25 mg/kg ip). Audiogenic seizures in rats withdrawn from ethanol were attenuated by low doses of tropisetron and ondansetron.