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In a message dated 6/25/99 5:08:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [log in to unmask] writes: << From: Bandekar, Raj (PA62) [mailto:[log in to unmask]] >> Raj, The newer PD drugs, such as mirapex (pramapexole), tasmar (tolcapone) and requip (ropinerole) are not so much "better" than the older PD drugs than they offer more choices in medications, and enhance, or increase the effectiveness of sinemet,or sin-levodopa---which continues to be considered the old standby, or the "gold standard" in PD treatment. The newer drugs help sinemet in different ways--eg mirapex and requiip act on selected neuron receptor sites to promote or "agonize" the effectiveness of sinemet. Hence, these drugs are called dopamine agonists. Functionally, these drugs tend to lessen the "off and on" fluctuations that are characteristic of the effects of sinemet. On the other hand, tasmsar acts to stop the action of an enzyme known as COMT which, in turn, causes the breakdown of dopamine. Tasmar is known as a COMT inhibitor and functionally, it results in prolonging of the "on" periods. Differerent combinations of these drugs are used with different people--because everybody's body chemistry and reactivity are different. And, sometimes, the best combination of drugs for an individual includes some of the older drugs---such as bromocryptine--most of which are dopamine agonists. I suggest that you ask your father's neurologist why he has not tried some of the newer PD meds--he may have sound medical reasons for this, or he just might be remiss. I hope this info helps; if you want more chemical info, I would direct you to the Physician's Desk Reference (PDR) which, I think, is now available to the public, eg at any bookstore or library. Good luck. Marty Polonsky