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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Robz on July 7, 2004, at 8:43:02
Hey i was just put on 300 mgs of Neurontin and my doc lowered my effexorxr to 75mgs. he says this could really help me and the sexual side effects will go away. Does anyone know exactly what this neurontin drug does????
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 7, 2004, at 18:38:27
In reply to What exactly does Neurontin do????, posted by Robz on July 7, 2004, at 8:43:02
Neurontin binds to the alpha(2)delta-1 and alpha(2)delta-2 regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels; however, it does not bind with high affinity to alpha(2)delta-3 or alpha(2)delta-4 subunits. As a result, the functionality of different types of voltage-gated calcium channels is altered by the drug; the channels are typically inhibited. In neuron terminals, the influx of calcium ions though voltage-gated calcium channels is a step involved in the release of neurotransmitters; when the action potential reaches the terminal, the channels open as a result of the change in electrical potential. Neurontin can therefore reduce the release of several neurotransmitters as a result of its interaction with certain regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels. Other mechanisms of action have been proposed, but they are controversial and not yet well-supported in my opinion.
Shawn
Posted by robz on July 7, 2004, at 20:54:44
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do????, posted by Shawn. T. on July 7, 2004, at 18:38:27
Shawn T...... So my doctor probably put me on this medicine because I always have racing thought eh??? Well sometimes those thoughts are not always bad...but usually they are. You seem like a very intelligent person. All that beta stuff I dont understand at all. I really wish I did so that I could have a better understanding of what goes on in my brain. Do you have problems with anxiety and depression? If you do what has worked for you? Also what would you recomend. Do you think this me lowering my Effexor and adding Neurontin is a good idea???? Any of your thoughts would be great!!!
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 8, 2004, at 2:51:00
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do????, posted by robz on July 7, 2004, at 20:54:44
The subunit names are arbitrary; even the experts aren't yet quite sure about how they influence calcium channels. Neurontin is a complicated drug to understand; I can assure you that most doctors that prescribe it don't have a clue about how it works. I have cyclothymia; it doesn't really interfere with my life now that I'm aware of it. I take St. John's Wort and DHEA; that combination seems to give me more energy. All that I can recommend is to try psychotherapy if you haven't already. If you are experiencing racing thoughts on Effexor, it would definitely be a wise idea to lower the dose. As for the Neurontin, you'll just have to wait and see how it works. The combination isn't dangerous, so that's nothing to worry about.
Shawn
Posted by SLS on July 8, 2004, at 8:13:52
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do????, posted by Shawn. T. on July 7, 2004, at 18:38:27
Hi Shawn.
> Neurontin binds to the alpha(2)delta-1 and alpha(2)delta-2 regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels; however, it does not bind with high affinity to alpha(2)delta-3 or alpha(2)delta-4 subunits. As a result, the functionality of different types of voltage-gated calcium channels is altered by the drug; the channels are typically inhibited. In neuron terminals, the influx of calcium ions though voltage-gated calcium channels is a step involved in the release of neurotransmitters; when the action potential reaches the terminal, the channels open as a result of the change in electrical potential. Neurontin can therefore reduce the release of several neurotransmitters as a result of its interaction with certain regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels. Other mechanisms of action have been proposed, but they are controversial and not yet well-supported in my opinion.
>
> Shawn
You are such a show off! Delta this and alpha that... Gosh, you know a lot!Thank you for your contributions - as always. And thanks for maintaining your website:
www.neurotransmitter.netAre the actions of Neurontin on these CA2+ channels regional? Does it accumulate more, for instance, in the amygdala, left temporal lobe, or left prefrontal cortex? Do you think it has any direct effect on GABA synthesis or release?
Neurontin is a very interesting drug. In my opinion, some overestimate its utility while others underestimate its utility. I don't think it makes for a good mood stabilizer as monotherapy for bipolar disorder I or rapid cycling bipolar II. I think it can help for social anxiety/phobia and perhaps as an augmentor to lamotrigine in treating bipolar II. Although it had some weird effects on me, I did experience some unequivocal antidepressant effects transiently.
What do you feel that Neurontin is effective for in treating?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Robz on July 8, 2004, at 17:19:21
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do???? » Shawn. T., posted by SLS on July 8, 2004, at 8:13:52
Does Alcohol have any effect on neurontin???
This is all just so frustrating for me sometimes?!?!?! So Neurontin is a MOOD STABILIZER??? Will that help with my depression at all?
Posted by Shawn. T. on July 8, 2004, at 18:20:32
In reply to Re: What exactly does Neurontin do???? » Shawn. T., posted by SLS on July 8, 2004, at 8:13:52
See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8384571 and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=8762065 for information on the binding distribution of Neurontin. I would assume that it affects many different regions of the brain; Hill et al. (1993) found the highest levels of binding sites in the outer layers of the cerebral cortex. The articles that detail the calcium channel subunit binding profile of Neurontin may be obtained at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11306709&dopt=Abstract and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12181424&dopt=Abstract
Several reports have suggested that Neurontin can increase GABA levels; however, a few studies did not share this finding. One report (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=9237051) has suggested that Neurontin inhibits GABA-transaminase in mouse brain. On the other hand, another study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12823570) involving several sections of rat brain found that Neurontin did not inhibit GABA-transaminase. I don't know of any other probable direct mechanisms through which Neurontin might affect GABA synthesis. At this point, I think that it is too early to draw any conclusions.
As far as psychiatric disorders are concerned, I don't really have an opinion about the use of Neurontin. Thanks for your support...
Shawn
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