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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paul on April 7, 2000, at 5:20:53
Or is this a waste of money? What effects do GABA supplements have without benzos? What about dosage? Are GABA supplements absorbed well in the GI tract, or are they excreted and hence wasted? I'm interested in the concept of potentiation with regards to benzos, SSRIs (Paxil) and opioids.
Also, does paxil diminish the effects of opioids because of enzyme inhibiton?
I am an intrigued layperson looking for answers.
Thanks.
Posted by Cam W. on April 7, 2000, at 6:44:43
In reply to Do GABA supplements potentiate benzodiazepines?, posted by Paul on April 7, 2000, at 5:20:53
Paul - With regard to GABA agonists increasing the effects of benzodiazepines. Possibly, if these GABA supplements are direct GABA agonists. Benzos do not directly stimulate the GABA receptor (as agonists would) but facilitate the binding of GABA to the receptor. In other words, benzos alter the shape of the GABA receptor, allowing GABA to bind to (and thus stimulate) the receptor easier. The GABA receptor is a chloride ion channel, that when opened by GABA's binding, allows the influx of chloride into the cell. This hyperpolarizes the cell, making it even harder for an electrical signal (action potential) to travel (propagate) down an axon. In essence, calming or stabilizing the neuron, making it harder for that neuron to fire. Benzos do depend on the presence of GABA to work.GABA supplements should work without the presence of benzos, but getting an agonist across the blood brain barrier is no easy feat. I do not believe that there are any GABA agonists being used successfully in clinical situations (at least not routinuely)(This is off of the top of my head - I could be wrong).
Paxil may decrease the effectiveness of opiates (esp. codeine) by stopping codeine's conversion to morphine in the body. This conversion is what gives codeine it's pain-killing effects. I do not know how true this is, clinical, but it is seen in vitro (in experimental situations). Also, codeine is partially metabolized by the cytochrome system (CYP3A3/4), so other SSRIs (Luvox, Prozac and Serzone) 'may' theoretically increase the effect of codeine. I do not believe this to be clinically significant, though.
Hope this helps - Cam W.
Posted by Paul on April 8, 2000, at 0:07:03
In reply to Re: Do GABA supplements potentiate benzodiazepines?, posted by Cam W. on April 7, 2000, at 6:44:43
This is precisely the sort of info I was looking for. Thanks for your help.
Posted by Cam W. on April 8, 2000, at 12:47:40
In reply to Thank you Cam., posted by Paul on April 8, 2000, at 0:07:03
Paul - Sorry, but I don't know where my head was when I said I did not know of any GABA agonists.
Barbiturates and alcohol to mention two. - Cam W.
This is the end of the thread.
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