Tipepidine is a non-narcotic antitussive with an antidepressant-like effect. Tipepidine reversibly inhibits dopamine (DA) D2 receptor-mediated GIRK currents (IDA(GIRK) ) (IC 50 = 7.0 μM) and subsequently activates VTA dopamine neurons.

Tipepidine administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses ranging from 10 to 40 mg/kg for durations between 0.5 and 23 hours notably reduced immobility time in the forced swimming test among ACTH-treated male Wistar rats, weighing 150-240 g and aged 5-7 weeks. At a specific dosage of 40 mg/kg, tipepidine elevated the extracellular dopamine levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) in these rats. The study utilized dosages of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, with administration times at 0.5, 5, and 23 hours, leading to the observed decrease in immobility time in the forced swimming test for ACTH-treated subjects.