Posted by Flame on July 1, 2007, at 16:49:26
In reply to Re: Confused about Mirapex and Campral » Flame, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 15:52:48
"The Mirapex works by mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain." From what I understand it is supposed to "up" that dopamine in the brain .. thus giving more of a "feel good" response.
"Acamprosate (Campral) has a structure similar to chemical transmitters (neurotransmitters) in the brain e.g. gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). These neurotransmitters act by sending inhibitory messages to the brain, and acamprostate is thought to act by enhancing their inhibitory effects. It is also thought to oppose the action of certain amino-acids that send excitatory messages to the brain. As a result, there is a reduction in the desire or craving to consume alcohol, and hence its use in alcohol dependence."
The two paragraphs above (more or less) explain "how" the two medications work.
To me .. what it is saying is that Mirapex gives an individual more of the "feel good" feeling by mimicking the effects of dopamine.
The Campral actually "inhibits" the "excitatory" effects that a person will experience while drinking the alcohol. Thereby taking away the "feel good" feeling that the alcohol previously gave them.
I understand that Mirapex is a medication for Parkinson's and RLS .. but side effects caused by Mirapex have very definitely been proven to lead to compulsive tendencies. (Alcoholism as one of those?) The compulsive tendencies come on because of the increased dopamine that the Mirapex produces.
Anyway, I'm not sure that I've explained any better what I am getting at. In my frustration, what I am thinking/feeling is that my husband has become an alcoholic because of the drugs his psychiatrist put him on. (Is it because of the Effexor OR Mirapex? .. I'm not sure. Doc doesn't agree with me.) But, now husband's doc has given him the Campral that appears to work by taking away some of what the Mirapex is doing for him.
Maybe I am WAY off base with this. Please .. Anyone .. just pipe in and explain this to me. I really am wanting/needing to know.
Thanks,
Flame
poster:Flame
thread:767011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070630/msgs/767034.html