Previous studies of the benzodiazepine antagonist CGS 8216 have reported that this compound may enhance the punishment-induced suppression of behaviour. In order to investigate this phenomenon further, water-deprived rats were trained to drink from a water spout during a multiple schedule with shocked and unshocked components. During the shocked components a very mild electric footshock was presented after every 20th lick. The shock slightly reduced the rate of licking during these components below that which occurred during periods without shock, although this effect decreased during the experiment. CGS 8216 (0.3-10 mg/kg) produced a dose-related reduction in licking during both schedule components. The overall volumes of water consumed were reduced by CGS 8216 as was the number of licks during the first, unshocked schedule component, before shock was applied, showing that the effect on unshocked licking was not due to a generalisation of suppression between periods with or without shock. In contrast to CGS 8216, a dose of 10 mg/kg pentylenetetrazol selectively reduced shocked licking. In a second group of rats which drank under identical conditions but without shock, CGS 8216 again reduced water intake. These results show that CGS 8216 can reduce water intake in rats regardless of whether drinking results in shock presentation.