Jeanne,
 
A slight correction of your post. Tasmar is actually a COMT inhibitor which effects the breakdown of dopamine not an agonist.  It is used to prolong the effects of levodopa.
 
Charlie
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask]>Parkinson's Disease Foundation
To: [log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, November 29, 1999 11:41 AM
Subject: Re: Medication confused

Tasmar, Mirapex and Permax are all drugs under the classification of agonist.  These drugs, very simply put, stimulate the cells that receive dopamine, making them more sensitive to the limited amounts of DA available in the brain.  This allows most patients to take less Sinemet than they otherwise would taking Sinemet alone.
 
Sincerely,
 
Jeanne Lee-Rosner
Associate Director of Education
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
 
----- Original Message -----
From: [log in to unmask]>Mario A. Gonzalez
To: [log in to unmask]>[log in to unmask]
Sent: Saturday, November 27, 1999 5:28 PM
Subject: Medication confused

Can someone explain why a person takes mirapex, tasmar, permax, etc., in addition
to Sinemet?
Be as verbose as you want.
 
thank you,
 
Mario A. Gonzalez [log in to unmask]