This info. came from an internet source called On-line medical dictionary. The URL is http://www.graylab.as.uk/omd/ You might wish to contact them to discuss these points. It seems to me, though, and I admit I am not a medical professional, that your definition of "agonist" summarizes the main point of the dictionary's definition. Could you clarify for me where your definition differs from that provided by the dictionary? I would really appreciate it, as I am trying my best to understand as much as I can. Thanks, Barb -----Original Message----- From: William Heitman <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Sunday, June 21, 1998 8:07 AM Subject: Re: On-line medical dictionary >In a message dated 6/20/98 4:54:49 PM Central Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] >writes: > ><< > A drug that has affinity for and stimulates physiologic activity at cell >receptors normally stimulated by naturally occurring substances, thus >triggering a biochemical response. > >> > On these points the package insert was either unnecessarily confusing or >patiently wrong: > >The term "agonist" does mean a substance that mimics the action of the other >(drug -as in "dopamine agonist"). > >Dyskinesias are indeed involuntary movements. They are brought on by years of >exposure teamed with acute exposure to l-dopa. > >A Dystonia although rarely thought of as a movement, can move limbs and even >torsos. In commonly used terms, these are much like a cramp. They too are >brought on by years of exposure teamed with acute exposure to l-dopa. > >I hope this helps and doesn't involve too much "guilding the Lilly." > >Regards, >WHH 54/18 >