Posted by zeugma on June 13, 2003, at 21:11:22
In reply to St.JAMES: HELP! Need some DEFINITION assistance!, posted by Janelle on June 13, 2003, at 20:23:12
> Okay, I did a Google search like you mentioned on that r-enantiomer word and yep, it brought up tons of hits. However, as I began clicking on them they also mentioned an "s-enantiomer"!!
>
> Now I am thoroughly confused about these two things and if you could explain them in PLAIN ENGLISH (the hits do not; they're very technical), I sure would appreciate it!
>
> I'm determined to be able to understand the difference between Lexapro and Celexa, the latter of which I'm on, and I just know it boils down in large part to the "enantiomer" differences between the two meds, but I can't get a grip on what the r and s enantiomers are! Thanks.
R-enantiomer- right enantiomer. S-enantiomer- sinister (left) enantiomer.Enantiomer- the two gloves that make a pair are enantiomers. Basically they're mirror images of each other, but they're not reversible. Supposedly the left-hand enantiomer (of the Celexa molecule) is more selective for serotonin reuptake inhibition than the right-hand one. The practical effect of this seems to be that Lexapro is effective in lower dosages than Celexa.
poster:zeugma
thread:233801
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030609/msgs/233819.html