The present study assessed the efficacy and potency of intrathecal (i.t.) administration of the opiate morphine, the gamma-aminobutyric acid-B (GABA(B)) receptor agonist baclofen, the alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine and the adenosine A1-receptor agonist R-phenylisopropyl-adenosine (R-PIA) on the acute allodynia-like behaviour after photochemically induced spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Rats displaying allodynia-like behaviours to brushing, von Frey hairs and cold stimulation 1-2 days after photochemically induced SCI were studied. In a cumulative dose regime, morphine (0.1-10 micrcog), baclofen (0.1-1 microg), clonidine (0.1-10 microg) and R-PIA (0.01-10 nmol) were administered i.t. through an implanted catheter at the lumbar spinal cord. All tested drugs dose-dependently reduced the brushing, von Frey hairs and cold stimulation-induced allodynia-like behaviour. No increase in adverse effects such as motor deficits was found for morphine, clonidine and R-PIA. There was a slight increase in motor impairments at the highest dose of baclofen. For the mechanical allodynia, morphine appeared to be most effective, whereas baclofen, clonidine and R-PIA only provided a partial alleviation. For the cold allodynia, morphine and baclofen were more effective than clonidine and R-PIA. In relieving acute mechanical and cold allodynia-like behaviours in rats 1-2 days after SCI, i.t. morphine and baclofen were superior to clonidine and R-PIA.