Posted by SLS on September 1, 2008, at 8:23:53
In reply to Re: Inhibit Reuptake of Ser-Yes, Nor-Yes, but Dop-No?, posted by mav27 on September 1, 2008, at 7:35:53
> The need for dopamine reuptake inhibitors doesn't seem to be a big thing..
Once upon a time, the FDA approved nomifensine (Merital) for depression. By that time, it was already available across the globe. Nomifensine is a potent dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. For some people, it was the only drug they have ever responded to. It was extensively studied. However, the drug wasn't out for a year when reports of fatal hemolytic anemia began to collect. The drug company decided to voluntarily take nomifensine off the worldwide market.
> there was one but it was banned due to possible abuse potential i believe although it may still be available is small parts of the world.
You probably are referring to amineptine (Survector). Yes, this drug was under scrutiny as being abused by drug addicts and athletes. The drug company decided to withdraw the product voluntarily as pressure mounted in the press. Again, for some people, this is the only drug that had given them relief.
> If you have possible low dopamine problems the doctors will use stimulants so no need to really make AD's that effect dopamine as well.
There is much about antidepressant drugs that we don't understand within the context of theoretical mechanisms. Nomifensine and amineptine act as true antidepressants, while stimulants do not.
> The only one i can think of off the top of my head that has some effect on dopamine is bupropion (wellbutrin or some spelling like that)
Most people used to think that the reuptake inhibition by bupropion of dopamine and norepinephrine was not potent enough to exert an antidepressant effect. It is the subject of ongoing debate. Recently, I have seen less and less resistence to the hypothesis that DA and NE reuptake inhibition is the mechanism by which bupropion acts.
Although the antidepressant effect of nomifensine lasted only briefly for me, I felt really well while taking it. Ritalin and Dexedrine did not have this effect on me.
To me, the bottom line is that it is better to have more drugs available than less drugs. DA reuptake inhibitors would be nice to have sitting on the gun rack. Upon reflection, many experts don't believe that nomifensine or amineptine should have been discontinued. The occurence of hemolytic anemia with nomifensine was rare. Many good drugs have the potential of being abused. Amineptine was not particularly addictive, but gained notoriety as being abused as an athletic enhancement drug.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:849657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080706/msgs/849668.html