Posted by jrbecker on July 17, 2003, at 13:55:24
In reply to Re: Anybody try SIBUTRAMINE (Meridia) for depression?, posted by SLS on July 17, 2003, at 11:49:55
I have followed very little of the Meridia controversy since last year. I think a lot of people predicted an FDA ruling by the end of '02, but that never happened. Honestly, there are so many law suits and warnings issued for currently marketed prescription drugs that it's hard to cut through the b.s. of which ones are really harmful and which ones are just victims of media hype/litigation hounding. To my own knowledge, I haven't seen anything recently that would foreshadow a recall in the very near future.
As for other DA agonists in the pipeline, it all depends on what you mean. Are you talking strictly for depression or for other indications as well? Because I know there are plenty of different compounds being tested for Alz, parkinson's, ADHD, and the like. I really don't keep up with them because, selfishly speaking, I really don't believe DA agonists are optimal therapies for my kind of depression.
But in regards, to what DA-activating drugs (not just DA agonists) are being tested specifically for depression, there is:
EmSam (transdermal selegiline), an MAO-inhibitor
Somerset for severe Depression, in phase III
KW-6002, an A2A antagonist, by Kyowa Hakko, for Parkinson's/depression, in Phase IIDOV 216,303, a DA/NE/5HT reuptake inhibitor, for depression, by DOV pharm., in Phase II
(R)-sibutramine metabolite, a DA/NE reuptake inhibitor, by Sepracor, in Phase II
GW353162, a DA/NE reuptake inhibitor, Depression and Bipolar Disorder, GlaxoSmithKline, in Phase I
VR 2006, an adenosine receptor atag., Vernalis,
Phase IDOV 21, 947, a DA/NE/5HT reuptake inhibitor, for depression, by DOV pharm., in Phase II
*This list fails to encompass drugs that will indirectly activate DA release (e.g., Cymbalta, OFC-1453, Agomelatine, etc.)
**And I'm sure there are many more DA agonists in trials for neurdegenerative diseased in late stage trials that will capitalize on the success of Mirapex and Requip, so perhaps there will be some success in off-label usage for affective conditions as well.
For more, on current clinical trial compounds, see my rough list at:
http://www.geocities.com/jrbecker76/jrbecker76.htm
> > However, I do know that Sepracor is in Phase II trials for a sibutramine metabolite for depression, but is currently on hold due to budgetary constraints.
>
> Hi JB.
>
> Thanks for the heads-up. I found the following:
>
> "Sepracor's (R)-sibutramine metabolite is an isomer of an active metabolite of Abbott's MERIDIA®. The (R)-sibutramine metabolite has been shown in preclinical studies to be a potent norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The compound's unique triple mechanism of action may provide a broader spectrum of therapy than other currently marketed antidepressants. Physicians often prescribe various combinations of drugs to achieve similar outcomes, indicating a need for this potential therapeutic synergy."
>
> This sounds great.
>
> "The (R)-sibutramine metabolite development program for refractory depression is on budgetary hold due to resource constraints."
>
> This sounds not-so-great.
>
> Are you aware of any DA reuptake inhibitors in the R&D pipeline? Nomifensine helped a great many people before it was discontinued.
>
> What's your take on the sibutramine controversy? Do you think the FDA will pull the drug from market?
>
>
> - Scott
>
poster:jrbecker
thread:242854
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030714/msgs/242892.html