Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 23, 2004, at 9:54:34
In reply to Re: Buspar versus SSRIS- what's the difference?? » zeugma, posted by cpallen79 on March 23, 2004, at 9:00:59
A single dose of Buspar has a half-life of 2-3 hours. And you are right -- its mode of action is significantly different from that of the SSRIs. SSRIs are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors -- they prevent serotonin sent across the synapse to the receptor from being reabsorbed by the transmitter (this process is reuptake). Thus, more serotonin is available to transmit messages. They are "selective" because, depending on the individual drug, SSRIs work at different serotonin receptors/subreceptors. And some even affect other neurotransmitters to a small degree -- Prozac, for example, slightly increases norepinephrine levels, while Zoloft slightly increases dopamine levels.
BuSpar, on the other hand, *blocks* serotonin from binding to a specific receptor called the 5-HT1a subreceptor. It also binds to the dopamine D2 receptor and stimulates it slightly.
poster:Ame Sans Vie
thread:327141
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040319/msgs/327345.html