Dopamine agonists
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine agonists (pronunciation: doh-puh-meen ag-uh-nists) are a class of medications that work by mimicking the effects of dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter in the brain.
Etymology
The term "dopamine agonist" is derived from the Greek words "dopas" meaning "to receive" and "agonistes" meaning "actor". This refers to the drug's ability to act on dopamine receptors in the brain.
Function
Dopamine agonists are primarily used to treat Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the death of dopamine-producing cells in the brain. By mimicking the effects of dopamine, these drugs can help to alleviate symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.
In addition to Parkinson's disease, dopamine agonists are also used to treat other conditions such as restless legs syndrome and prolactinoma, a type of benign tumor of the pituitary gland.
Types of Dopamine Agonists
There are several different types of dopamine agonists, including:
- Levodopa: This is the most commonly used dopamine agonist for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It is converted into dopamine in the brain, helping to replace the dopamine that is lost due to the disease.
- Pramipexole and ropinirole: These are non-ergoline dopamine agonists that are used to treat both Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.
- Bromocriptine and cabergoline: These are ergoline dopamine agonists that are primarily used to treat prolactinoma.
Side Effects
Like all medications, dopamine agonists can have side effects. These can include nausea, dizziness, and sleepiness. In some cases, they can also cause compulsive behaviors such as gambling, overeating, or hypersexuality.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Dopamine agonists
- Wikipedia's article - Dopamine agonists
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