Posted by Rick on December 24, 2001, at 20:12:31
In reply to Re: Serzone: Does it even work? - Sometimes » dhldn, posted by Cam W. on December 16, 2001, at 12:15:52
> The enzyme inhibition by Serzone has been used to advantage, by some doctors in our area. It can artificially raise levels of certain drugs, without increasing their dose. This may be a good option for those who poorly absorb certain medications.
Cam -
Are you saying that the docs (1) sometimes add Serzone soley to raise levels of other drugs; or (2) choose it over other *treatment-augmentaton* candidates to take advantage of this property; or (3) select it as the primary AD to take advantage of potentially-beneficial interactions?
If #1 or #2 apply, do you have any ideas on what kinds of dosages and dosing schedules are used? E.g., assuming Serzone potently inhibits modafinil (which has a half-life of about 15 hours after repeated dosing) could a small, sub-theraputic dose such as 75/day of Serzone taken morning-only with modafinil (also taken morning-only) raise modafinil blood levels? Would this essentially be extending modafinil's half life?
And a more-general question, implicit above, is: To what extent is the dosage required to elicit "useful" enzyme inhibition from the inhibitor tied to its own effective half-life (and/or theraputic range)? This question is especially applicable to Serzone given its highly non-linear pharmacokinetics (sp?)).
Any thoughts would be *greatly* appreciated!
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:87093
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/87817.html