Posted by Sunnely on February 17, 2001, at 20:03:52
In reply to Mirapex will be the next Remeron of ADs, posted by SalArmy4me on February 13, 2001, at 4:05:11
Pramipexole (Mirapex) is a dopamine agonist approved for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. There is preliminary evidence that Mirapex has antidepressant properties and that it also lacks significant interactions with the cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450). As a result, Mirapex may be a useful adjunctive drug in combination with standard antidepressants. Its dopamine-agonist properties might also be expected to help with some selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-associated side effects, including sexual dysfunction, because other dopaminergic drugs, such as amphetamine, amantadine, and bupropion, have proven helpful in some patients. In addition, dopamine agonists have sometimes proven useful as augmentors of standard antidepressants.
Mirapex has a unique pharmacologic profile among the available drugs, with specific dopamine agonist properties favoring D3 to D2 by a ratio of 8:1. Restless leg syndrome (RLS) may emerge during treatment with SSRIs and has responded to treatment with dopamine agonists, including L-dopa. Thus, it is intuitive that Mirapex should also be helpful for SSRI-induced restless legs.
More clinical studies are needed as to the role of Mirapex as an adjunctive agent to standard antidepressants particularly the SSRIs, as well as its role in alleviating potential side effects such as RLS.
poster:Sunnely
thread:53858
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010212/msgs/54281.html