Anxiolytic-like action in mice treated with nitrous oxide and oral triazolam or diazepam.

Few animal studies have explored the interaction of nitrous oxide (N2O) with a benzodiazepine (BNZ) administered by the oral route, as used in clinical procedures involving "conscious sedation". The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative "anxiolytic-like" and sedative effectiveness of N2O, oral triazolam (TRIAZ; Halcion) or oral diazepam (DIAZ; Valium), either alone or in various combinations of drugs and doses. One hundred and twelve Swiss Webster male mice, 35-45 days old, were assigned to 28 groups, each of which contained four mice.