The interaction of substituted benzamides with brain benzodiazepine binding sites in vitro

Antinociceptive effects of clebopride in the mouse

1. The effects of the substituted benzamide clebopride, an orthopramide, on nociception of chemical and thermal stimuli were investigated. 2. Clebopride (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg) promoted significant analgesia in the tail-flick and hot-plate tests and against abdominal constrictions produced by acetic acid or acetylcholine. 3. The analgesic effects of clebopride were not influenced by pretreatment with naltrexone (1-3 mg/kg). 4. The results suggest that clebopride induces analgesia against both thermal and chemical nociceptive stimuli, which is not mediated via opioid mechanisms.

Tiapride. A review of its pharmacology and therapeutic potential in the management of alcohol dependence syndrome

Tiapride, an atypical neuroleptic agent, is a selective dopamine D2-receptor antagonist with little propensity for causing catalepsy and sedation. It shows preferential activity at receptors previously sensitised to dopamine and those located extrastriatally. Tiapride demonstrates antidyskinetic activity reflecting antidopaminergic actions, and also anxiolytic activity mediated by mechanisms that are poorly understood. Unlike the benzodiazepines, tiapride does not affect vigilance and has a low potential for interaction with alcohol (ethanol), and possibly for abuse. Tiapride facilitates management of alcohol withdrawal, but its use in patients at risk of severe reactions in acute withdrawal should be accompanied by adjunct therapy for hallucinosis and seizures. Since it may prove difficult to identify such patients and there is also a small risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (particularly with parenteral administration), the usefulness of tiapride in this setting is likely to be limited. Nevertheless, relative freedom from the complications associated with benzodiazepine therapy suggest a possible role for the drug in the treatment of individuals suitable for alcohol detoxification as outpatients. Preliminary clinical studies in alcoholic patients following detoxification have shown that tiapride ameliorates psychological distress, improves abstinence, and reduces drinking behaviour, and in the short term facilitates reintegration within society. These benefits were associated with reduced consumption of health care resources. However, the potential risk of tardive dyskinesia at the dosage employed (300 mg/day) requires evaluation and necessitates medical supervision. Thus, with its lack of adverse effects on vigilance and low propensity for interaction with alcohol and possibly for abuse, tiapride will probably find particular use in the management of alcoholic patients suitable for detoxification in an outpatient setting; and, if initial findings are confirmed in large well-designed trials, in the short term (< or = 6 months) therapy of reformed alcoholic patients under medical supervision.

Tiapride. A review of its pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties, and therapeutic potential in geriatric agitation

Tiapride is a substituted benzamide derivative with selective dopamine D2-receptor antagonist properties which appears to have preferential affinity for extrastriatal dopamine receptors. Animal and clinical studies show that tiapride has anxiolytic properties but the mechanism of action is uncertain. Results from limited studies indicate that the clinical efficacy of tiapride in the treatment of agitation, aggressiveness, anxiety and sleep disorders in the elderly appears superior to that of placebo, chlorpromazine, lorazepam and meprobamate. Tiapride also exerts a beneficial effect on vigilance and alertness in elderly patients and causes less sedation than chlorpromazine. Tiapride is well tolerated at the dosages recommended for elderly patients. Further well designed comparative studies with newer drugs are needed to determine the relative place of tiapride in the treatment of geriatric agitation, and such studies should also address the quality-of-life benefits for the patient. Additional clinical experience to determine the efficacy of tiapride in elderly patients with more than one disease condition, receiving concomitant medications, and/or with renal impairment is also required. However, despite these current limitations, tiapride may have potentially important applications in this difficult area of clinical medicine.