Key findings
Caffeine potentiated activity of all antidepressants examined in FST and the observed effects were not due to the increase in locomotor activity in the animals. Only in the case of co-administration of caffeine and milnacipran an increased milnacipran concentration in serum was observed without affecting its concentration in the brain.
Significance
Caffeine potentiates the activity of antidepressant drugs from different chemical groups. The interactions of caffeine with venlafaxine, bupropion and moclobemide occur in pharmacodynamic phase, whereas the interaction of caffeine–milnacipran occurs, at least partially, in pharmacokinetic phase.
Keywords
Caffeine; Antidepressant drugs; Forced swim test; Pharmacokinetic study; Mice