Posted by medlib on August 3, 2001, at 1:07:00
In reply to Mirapex , posted by Willow on August 2, 2001, at 5:38:05
Hi Willow--
In pharmacology, an agonist is an enhancer, and an antagonist is a blocker. In Parkinsons, dopamine neurons in one part of the brain begin to die; Mirapex acts by enhancing dopamine production and function in those which remain.
I know little about schizophrenia. The med lit for Geodon, an antipsychotic I recently discontinued, said that G.'s effect treating schizophrenia was thought to be due to its *antagonism* of dopamine D2 and serotonin (5HT2) receptors. Mirapex, a dopamine agonist, enhances dopamine D3 receptors much more than it does D2s, but it would seem to have the potential to make schizophrenia worse.
That's probably clear as mud, which may reflect the current level of my understanding and/or the lateness of the hour. But, as JohnL is fond of saying, it probably matters less *how* meds work, than *whether* they work, and how well.
Hope Mirapex works well for you--I'm looking forward to hearing!---medlib
poster:medlib
thread:72983
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010731/msgs/73252.html