Dopamine vs Dopamine agonist. May someone explain the technical mechanism of action in the brain? Pros/Cons of these therapy methods?

[marnegro]

Effectiveness of each method and how it compares. What about side effects? Which one is less harmful?

[park_bear]

Dopamine agonists are commonly associated with a variety of severe adverse effects, including impulse control disorders such as compulsive gambling, sex, or eating, and orthostatic hypotension which means loss of blood pressure upon standing. Journal references for these facts are available upon request.

Levodopa preparations are much less prone to such adverse effects. Controlled-release prescription medications such as Sinemet CR or Rytary work well for many people.

[ruff1]

Dopamine agonists help to make the dopamine receptors in the brain work more efficiently, as far as I know they do not contain dopamine so no dopamine side effects ( dyskinesia) . They can produce side effects to do with compulsive behaviour but my husband has been on them for about 10 years with no side effects .😀

[marnegro]

Thanks for the info. I would like someone with the technical knowledge be able to explain the mechanism of action of the D agonist in the brain , how it differentiate from dopamine, how it works, how it’s processed and disposed out of the body. Thanks again for your comments always welcomed.

[Gioc in reply to marnegro]

nature.com/articles/466S6a

[pmmargo]

There is also a 3rd option..the MAO-B drugs such as rasagiline that keep your own body's dopamine in there longer.