Posted by King Vultan on July 11, 2004, at 0:50:02
In reply to Pamelor - How does it work, posted by becksA on July 10, 2004, at 21:00:45
> Just wondering how Pamelor works chemically in the brain...Thanks
It's a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, meaning it selectively targets the neurotransmitter norepinephrine by a factor of at least 10x more than it does serotonin. SSRIs such as Lexapro and Prozac OTOH target serotonin.
Pamelor (nortriptyline) also blockades histamine receptors (meaning it is an antihistamine), which is responsible for some of the sedative and anti-anxiety effects of the drug. It also has a couple of other blockades of note--it blockades serotonin-2 receptors, which has a number of effects, including adding to the sedative and anti-anxiety effects of the histamine blockade. It also blockades alpha-1 adrenergic receptors, which is responsible for the lower blood pressure and dizziness that some experience on the drug, as well as further adding to sedation.
So the drug has a totally different pharmacologic profile from that of the common SSRIs, which have none of these characteristics. In general, Pamelor is sedating, calming, and works on a different neurotransmitter than do the SSRIs, albeit, one that is equally or more important. It can be a good choice for people who have a lack of response to SSRIs or tolerate SSRI side effects poorly.
Todd
poster:King Vultan
thread:364847
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040710/msgs/364897.html