Dothiepin Vs Fluoxetine Mechanism of Action and Pharmacodynamics essays

Dothiepin Vs Fluoxetine Mechanism of Action and Pharmacodynamics essays Comparison Between Mechanism of Action and Pharmacodynamics of Dothiepin and Fluoxetine Mechanism of action and pharmacodynamics Dothiepin is a tricyclic antidepressant. It acts by promoting the effectiveness of several amines (dopamine, norepinephrine, and 5-hydroxytryptamine, which is also known as 5HT and serotonin). It functions by inhibiting their reuptake at the terminals of nerve cells, thus leading to their prolonged presence at the synaptic cleft and an increased effect on the neuron.(1) The reuptake pumps for the above amines are responsible for reducing the concentration of these amines. Dothiepin works by blocking the pumps. According to the amine hypothesis, a decreased concentration of the amines and the resulting decrease in amine dependant synaptic transmission is associated with depression, therefore an increase in the above would help relieve the symptoms of depression. (2) Dothiepin has other actions as well. It reduces norepinephrine induced CAMP formation in the brain, as well as inhibiting the uptake of 5HT into platelets. It also has some anticholinergic and antihistaminic activity.(3) Dothiepin begins to take effect after approximately 2-3 weeks. Usual daily doses of Dothiepin range from 75mg to 200mg in the more severe cases. (2) Fluoxetine belongs to a group of antidepressants known as the SSRIs, or Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It functions is similar to that of dothiepin above. It also acts as a reuptake inhibitor, but is highly selective. It only inhibits 5HT reuptake, and lacks many of the less useful functions of dothiepin, such as the antihistaminic properties. (1) As above the result in increase in the presence of serotonin at the synaptic cleft results in a decrease in many symptoms of depression. Fluoxetine does however have some side effects including nausea, tremors, loss of libido and in some cases decreased sexual function. (2) It is also possible that it may have a...