Effects of nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem and trifluoperazine on the antinociceptive activity of acetaminophen.

The influence of the calcium channel blockers (CCBs) nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem, and the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine on the antinociceptive activity of acetaminophen was studied in male albino mice. The nociceptive response was determined by the acetic acid writhing test. Nifedipine (50 or 20 mg/kg), verapamil (20 mg/kg), diltiazem (70 mg/kg) and trifluoperazine (3 mg/kg) were administered orally alone or 1 h before acetaminophen (100 mg/kg). Nifedipine (50 mg/kg), verapamil, diltiazem and trifluoperazine administered alone demonstrated significant antinociceptive effects compared to controls. Nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem and trifluoperazine applied 1 h before acetaminophen potentiated its antinociceptive activity, which was strongest in mice injected with verapamil and nifedipine (20 mg/kg). It was established that 1 h after nifedipine (50 mg/kg) treatment, cytochrome P450 content, NADPH cytochrome c reductase and ethylmorphine-N-demethylase (EMND) activities were increased in the liver microsomes. Verapamil, diltiazem and trifluoperazine did not change the drug metabolizing enzymes studied. It is assumed that their effect on acetaminophen analgesia is not associated with the changes in acetaminophen oxidative metabolism in the liver.