Antinociceptive Activity of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Albino Rats

To study the antinociceptive activity of four selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) viz., fluoxetine, fluoxamine,peroxetine and sertraline.

Antinociceptive activity was studied using hot water immersion test, tail flick method and hot plate method in albino rats.Drugs and normal saline(control) were given intraperitonially and the results were analyzed with suitable statistical application.

Fluoxetine(10mg/kg), Fluoxamine (25 mg/kg), Peroxetine(10mg/kg) and Sertraline(10mg/kg) produced significant antinociceptive effect in all the three experimental models (P< 0.001). Fluoxamine produced maximum effect among the four SSRIs.

As serotonin is an important mediator of pain, these SSRIs have shown considerable antinociceptive activity. These SSRIs have shown considerable antinociceptive activity. These may be used as co-analgesics in diabetic neuropathy, diafferentiation pain, migraine and also in the patients of depression with pain. Further studies may widen the horizon of usage of SSRIs in the management of pain.