The effects of tifluadom, a benzodiazepine-kappa-opioid-receptor agonist, on cholecystokinin-octapeptide (CCK-8)-induced antinociception were investigated in the mouse writhing test. When given alone, tifluadom produced pronounced, dose-dependent analgesia. The antinociceptive effect of intracerebroventricularly injected CCK-8 was potentiated by high doses of tifluadom. In contrast, when tifluadom was applied at low doses which did not induce antinociception, the antinociceptive effect of CCK-8 was completely antagonized. It is concluded that tifluadom acts both as kappa-opioid receptor agonist and as an antagonist at CCK receptors mediating CCK-induced antinociception.