Posted by SLS on February 8, 2001, at 9:20:04
In reply to Re: Ziprasidone (Zeldox) Approved ! - SLS, posted by JohnL on February 8, 2001, at 4:40:42
Hi John.
The easiest way to descibe ziprasidone is to consider it to be olanzapine but without the weight gain. Like olanzapine, it more potently binds to and antagonizes (blocks) the serotonin 5-HT2a receptor than it does to the dopamine D2 receptor. It is this ratio of receptor blockade that seems to be responsible for the potential of these atypical neuroleptics to treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia while reducing the emergence of EPS or TD. 5-HT2a blockade probably plays a prominent role in the ability of these drugs to potentiate antidepressants in cases of depression.
What I find most intriguing about ziprasidone is that it is the first atypical neuroleptic that binds potently to and agonizes (stimulates) the serotonin 5-HT1a receptor. It is very much like buspirone in this way, and I am hoping that this will potentiate the antidepressant properties that the atypicals seem to have. Ziprasidone is a “cleaner” drug than the others as it does not bind appreciably to histamine H1 or muscranic acetylcholine receptors. However, cleaner is not always better.
I may petition my doctor to give ziprasidone a try in the spring.
This all sounds very exciting, but it must still be evaluated in the arena of long-term clinical usage.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:53408
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53509.html