Toxicodynamic interactions of imidacloprid with antiepileptics in mice – an insight into its mechanism of action

The toxicodynamic interactions of imidacloprid with some antiepileptic agents were studiedto investigate about its possible mechanism of action in mice. Imidacloprid prolonged the sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone and hexabarbitone, whichindicates the inhibition of hepatic metabolising enzymes involved in their metabolism by imidacloprid.Prior administration of phenytoin reduced restlessness, diazepam reduced restlessness and tremors induced by imidacloprid. Carbamazepine administered prior to imidacloprid antagonised all the characteristic behavioural symptoms induced by imidacloprid. These results suggested possibility of involvement of GABAergic system and a direct excitatory action at level of neuromuscular junction by imidacloprid.