Posted by fachad on June 5, 2002, at 9:58:05
In reply to Re: Trimipramine - (fachad) one more question, posted by johnj on June 4, 2002, at 21:05:51
There are (at least) two known ways a drug can interact with a neurotransmitter/receptor system.
It can inhibit reuptake. This means that when the nerve fires by releasing the neurotransmitter, the transmitter is not sucked back up into the nerve. This makes its effects longer. SSRIs like Prozac, Paxil, etc. inhibit the reuptake of serotonin without effects on norephenepherine or dopamine.
The second major way a drug can interact with a nerve is by blocking its receptor site. This has the opposite effect. Even if the nerve fires and releases it's neurotransmitter, and even if that neurotransmitter stays in the synapse longer, it will have reduced effects because the receptor is blocked.
Most antidepressants were believed to work thru inhibiting reuptake of NE or 5HT or both. Side effects are often caused by blockade.
Trimipramine does not inhibit reuptake of NE or 5HT to any significant degree. It does have blockade properties at H1 histamine receptors, ACH cholenergic receptors (dry mouth) and others.
But as to how it relieves depression, it is not known. It has been shown to be as effective as the drugs that inhibit reuptake.
It may be the lack of reuptake properties that explains why it uniquely enhances sleep.
> Hi again:
> I am a little knew with the lingo so I wondered if you could explain "reuptake" to me. Do you mean trimipramine doesn't affect serotonin very much? Thanks
> Johnj
poster:fachad
thread:107701
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/108759.html