Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 836861

Shown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by linkadge on June 27, 2008, at 19:10:36

Is this drug going anywhere?

??

Linkadge

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on June 27, 2008, at 20:53:41

In reply to RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by linkadge on June 27, 2008, at 19:10:36

> Is this drug going anywhere?
>
> ??
>
> Linkadge

I think it's already on the market, but for other conditions than psychiatric ones.

I'm not particularly impressed with what I've read about it so far. It seems questionable whether it's reasonably effective even for the limited purpose it's being studied for: psychotic depression. It may be of value in certain individual cases, but FDA approval isn't needed for that - it might as well be prescribed off-label.

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by SLS on June 27, 2008, at 22:31:50

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by undopaminergic on June 27, 2008, at 20:53:41

> > Is this drug going anywhere?
> >
> > ??
> >
> > Linkadge
>
> I think it's already on the market, but for other conditions than psychiatric ones.
>
> I'm not particularly impressed with what I've read about it so far. It seems questionable whether it's reasonably effective even for the limited purpose it's being studied for: psychotic depression. It may be of value in certain individual cases, but FDA approval isn't needed for that - it might as well be prescribed off-label.

I am in agreement with Undopaminergic regarding my impression of mifepristone (RU-486). If you are interested in trying it, you must go through the Feminist Majority Foundation. There is quite a bit of paperwork involved. It must be applied for via an IND. It cannot be prescribed off-label at this point. There are special regulations in place that proscribe doing so. Only a doctor may obtain and administer the drug.

I did not respond at all to mifepristone, except that I felt flat and "washed-out" at the end of the 7 day trial. I was disappointed in Alan Schatzberg, MD, for having such a personal interest in the approval of this drug. He would stand to profit from it. His studies represent a conflict of interest. He's a real nice guy, though. Messy.


- Scott

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking? » SLS

Posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2008, at 0:52:27

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by SLS on June 27, 2008, at 22:31:50

Scott is that the abortion day after med? Phillipa

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by SLS on June 28, 2008, at 5:39:17

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking? » SLS, posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2008, at 0:52:27

> Scott is that the abortion day after med? Phillipa

No, I don't think so. I believed it is used to induce a miscarriage at up to two months of pregnancy.


- Scott

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking? » SLS

Posted by Phillipa on June 28, 2008, at 19:45:51

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by SLS on June 28, 2008, at 5:39:17

Scott knew it had something to do with babies. Didn't you try it once? Love Phillipa

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on June 29, 2008, at 18:58:21

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by SLS on June 28, 2008, at 5:39:17

> > Scott is that the abortion day after med? Phillipa
>
> No, I don't think so. I believed it is used to induce a miscarriage at up to two months of pregnancy.
>

Mifepristone is used for pharmacological (non-surgical) abortion. I read that it's also used as an emergency contraceptive ("morning after pill") in at least China, but certainly not in the US. The usual morning after pill is based on levonorgestrel, which is classified as a progestin or synthetic progestogen receptor agonist (the natural agonist is progesterone).

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on June 29, 2008, at 19:07:40

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by SLS on June 27, 2008, at 22:31:50

Mifepristone is hypothesised to be useful against depression due to its antagonism of the glucocorticoid receptor (cortisol receptor), since cortisol is often (usually?) elevated in depression.

In my opinion, it is more sensible to lower cortisol than to attempt to antagonise it. A reduction of cortisol secretion can be achieved through the administration of opioids (morphine, methadone, buprenorphine, etc.), alpha2-adrenergic agonists (guanfacine, guanabenz, clonidine), and probably some other drugs. As an anti-depressive treatment that lowers cortisol, buprenorhpine seems an ideal choice.

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by SLS on June 30, 2008, at 5:01:42

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by undopaminergic on June 29, 2008, at 19:07:40

One problem with mifepristone is that it blocks cortisol receptors responsible for engaging the negative feedback loop upon the adrenal glands. Cortisol levels end up going off the charts. Not good.


- Scott

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on June 30, 2008, at 7:29:35

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by SLS on June 30, 2008, at 5:01:42

> One problem with mifepristone is that it blocks cortisol receptors responsible for engaging the negative feedback loop upon the adrenal glands. Cortisol levels end up going off the charts. Not good.
>
>
> - Scott

Good point. Actually, I supect it's even worse than you suggest: mifepristone would also block cortisol receptors of the pituitary and probably the hypothalamus, thus increasing the secretion of ACTH (AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone) and CRF (Corticotropin-Releasing Factor), respectively, and these hormones may have deleterious effects of their own - indeed, CRF-antagonists are being investigated as possible antidepressants and anxiolytics.

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by linkadge on July 2, 2008, at 21:54:41

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by undopaminergic on June 30, 2008, at 7:29:35

I find that a combination of vitamin c, melatonin, PS, and remeron can get me out of a nasty state ususally within about 2 days.

Linkadge

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on July 4, 2008, at 6:34:12

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by linkadge on July 2, 2008, at 21:54:41

> I find that a combination of vitamin c, melatonin, PS, and remeron can get me out of a nasty state ususally within about 2 days.
>

I'm not sure why you're mentioning it in the context of this thread as it doesn't appear to relate to the topic in any way. However, it's great to have a reliable solution to depend upon in times of crisis. I find that about 50-100 mg of 5-hydroxytryoptophan (5-HTP) is sufficient to relieve a particularly bad situation that includes being tired of life and desires to destroy humanity or the universe at large. Unfortuntely, the relief that 5-HTP or other serotonergic agents will bring is a very long way from remission. Dopaminergics - direct or indirect (e.g. opiates) - seem necessary for anything more than the bare minimum of mental health.

Also, what is PS? ProgeSterone, PsychoStimulants, PriStiq, or what?

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by linkadge on July 5, 2008, at 13:34:31

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by undopaminergic on July 4, 2008, at 6:34:12

>I'm not sure why you're mentioning it in the >context of this thread as it doesn't appear to >relate to the topic in any way.

Um, first we were discussing cortisol modulating agnets. Second, I started the post so who cares and third, who says I need to be on topic?

>Unfortuntely, the relief that 5-HTP or other >serotonergic agents will bring is a very long >way from remission. Dopaminergics - direct or >indirect (e.g. opiates) - seem necessary for >anything more than the bare minimum of mental >health.

Ok, whatever.

>Also, what is PS?

Phosphatidyl Serine. A heavily researched cortisol modulating supplement.


Linkadge

 

Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?

Posted by undopaminergic on July 6, 2008, at 2:28:48

In reply to Re: RU 486 - what happened to fast tracking?, posted by linkadge on July 5, 2008, at 13:34:31

OK, it makes more sense now.


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