The effects of serotonin3 receptor blockade on the psychobiological response to intravenous clomipramine in healthy human subjects

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the role that serotonin (5-HT)3 receptors play in the prolactin and nausea responses to clomipramine challenge. Methods: Twenty healthy subjects were randomly assigned to pretreatment with either the selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron, or placebo, prior to intravenous infusion with clomipramine. Results: Ondansetron pretreatment had no effect on the prolactin response to clomipramine challenge. There was a trend toward decreased nausea with ondansetron pretreatment. Conclusions: These findings are consistent with other data suggesting that 5-HT3 receptors do not play a major role in the prolactin response to 5-HT challenge in human subjects, but may mediate nausea associated with enhanced 5-HT neurotransmission.