Posted by SLS on December 5, 2008, at 12:19:24
In reply to Mianserin vs. Elavil, posted by X-ray on December 5, 2008, at 10:37:23
> Hi,
>
> I have been on Elavil (amitriptyline) for many years, but now I'm going to try mianserin (for sleep).
>
> B R Ballinger and J Feely about mianserin in an article in British Medical Journal:
> - Its profile of action differs considerably from the tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline) as it does not block amine uptake.
>
> Can anyone explain what this means?
> How does mianserin work compared to amitriptyline?
>
> Best regards,
> X-ray
>Hi.
Mianserin works in a way very similar to Remeron, only with greater antihistaminic effects. Both drugs share the properties of NE alpha-2 receptor antagonism (blocking) and 5-HT2 receptor antagonism. The first property causes the presynaptic neuron to manufacture and release more norepinephrine neurotransmitter. The second property helps to maintain a balance of serotonin and dopamine.
Neither drug acts as a reuptake inhibitor of a neurotransmitter the way amitriptyline and most other antidepressants do. They do not allow the presynaptic neuron to suck up and recycle its neurotransmitter, thereby causing an increase in the synaptic concentration of that neurotransmitter.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:866829
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20081204/msgs/866844.html