Effects of fluvoxamine on morphine-induced inhibition of gastrointestinal transit, antinociception and hyperlocomotion in mice

In the present study, the effects of fluvoxamine on the inhibition of gastr ointestinal transit, antinociception and hyperlocomotion induced by morphin e were investigated in mice. Treatment with morphine (10 mg/kg, subcutaneou sly (s.c.)) inhibited gastrointestinal transit and hyperlocomotion. These e ffects were attenuated by fluvoxamine in a dose-dependent manner. On the ot her hand, morphine (1 mg/kg, s.c.)-induced antinociception was significantl y potentiated by fluvoxamine. These results suggest that fluvoxamine combin ed with morphine may be useful for the treatment of not only depression but also pain in cancer patients without constipation or activation of the mes olimbic dopaminergic system. However, further understanding and clinical st udies will be required to confirm this possibility. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.