Concerns About Dopamine Agonist — Pramipexole

[Bertrand46]

I will soon begin treatment for depression with Pramipexole and have a few questions.


1) Is it true that dopamine agonists have a profound effect on the D3 receptor in terms of provoking adaptive epigenetic changes to the receptor structure at the molecular level and that these changes are very long lasting in people with certain genetic traits?

2) Is it true that if an individual has the genetic polymorphism called COMT Val/Met that protracted DAWS (Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome) risk is over 20 times greater in this person?

3) Does pramipexole over the long term destroy the body's natural ability to produce dopamine — thus, rendering one completely dependent on the drug over time?

4) Even if long-term dopamine agonism will likely lead to dependency, do you agree with those who say that taking a medication for the rest of one's life might provide a net benefit to the individual if the drug is affordable and has acceptable side effects?

Thanks,

B.

 

[polymath]

Thanks for mentioning the DAWS, I hadn't heard about that before. At least the dopamine agonists are a bit less dangerous than amphetamines, in terms of addictiveness, because trying to inject or snort them causes a severe, unpleasant nausea as a side effect and this prevents that kind of abuse.

Some people have bad withdrawal symptoms when quitting SSRI antidepressants, too.