An assay for emetic activity among inhibitors of type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE 4) is disclosed. The assay comprises: (A) administering to a test mammal an anesthetic compound in an amount sufficient to cause an anesthetic effect; (B) administering to the test mammal a test compound that has PDE 4 inhibitory activity; (C) observing the test mammal for changes in the anesthetic effect, and(D) correlating any change in the anesthetic effect observed in the anesthetized test mammal to a standard.
