Abstract: Aminopyridine(4-AP)1 mg·kg^-1)sc at the scruff induced a licking response inmice. Antiallergic and antipruritic drugs,such as diphenhydramine HCl (20 mg· kg^-1)ip),doxepin(12.5 mg·kg^-1)ig),prednisone(10 mg·kg^-1)ig),dexamethasone(10 mg·kg^-1)ip),fluocinolone(applied to the surface of skin),Pi Yan Ping(applied to the surface of skin),disodium cromoglicate(400 mg·kg^-1)ip),ketotifen(1 mg·kg^-1)ip),etc.markedly inhibited the licking response elicited by4-AP. The ealcium antagonist nifedipine(500 mg·kg^-1)ig)and the potassium channel openerminoxidil(400mg· kg^-1)ig ) preduced the same inhitrltory effect; H₂-receptor antagonist cimetidine(200 mg·kg^-1)ip)and ranitidine(150 mg· kg^-1) ip)showed no effect. Morphine HCl (10 mg· kg^-1)ip)and diazepam(0.02 mg·kg^-1)ip) exhibited antagonistic effect on the licking response induced by4-AP,but phenoberbital(25 mg·kg^-1)ip),I1entobarbital(15 mg·kg^-1)ip)and aspirin(306 mg·kg^-1)ig)did not.These results indicate that many antiallergic or antipr uritic drugs inhibited the lickingrespon se induced by 4-AP. The method of licking response elicited by 4-AP has the merit of simplicityand convenience and may be used for screening antiallergic and antipruritic drugs.