Flumazenil prevents the development of chlordiazepoxide withdrawal in rats tested in the social interaction test of anxiety

Rats were chronically treated with chlordiazepoxide (CDP 10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 27 days. Twenty-four hours after their last dose, they received flumazenil (4 mg/kg) or vehicle and were tested in the social interaction test, in a low-light, familiar arena. CDP withdrawal significantly reduced the time spent in social interaction compared with controls, indicating an anxiogenic withdrawal response. This was completely reversed by flumazenil. A second group received CDP for 27 days and, in addition, received a single dose of flumazenil (4 mg/kg) 6 days before testing. Flumazenil prevented the development of the anxiogenic withdrawal response in these rats.