mitazapine question

[Ballerina123]

if SSRIs work by giving you more serotonin then what does mitazapine do?
Im not sure I understand how it works.
Thanks
Kate

[Bellatrix]

Oly (Steel Maiden) is probably your best bet.

[Aardbei]

Mirtazapine still works by increasing serotonin.

My memory/knowledge of neurotransmitters is a little fuzzy so I may get this wrong, but I think it antagonises some serotonin receptors (ie blocks them) so there's more serotonin knocking about in your brain as it doesn't get used by the receptors. It also works on some other receptors but we'll stick to serotonin here.

The mechanism is slightly different to SSRIs as SSRIs inhibit the reuptake of serotonin (there are things called monamine transporters that pick up any extra to be reused again). SSRIs mess with the monoamine transporters so there's more serotonin. An NaSSa like mirtazapine blocks the receptor instead, meaning there's more serotonin about. I think.

May have got this wrong but that's my understanding!

[Snow White.]

Mirtazepine works by increasing the availability of both serotonin and noradrenalin in the brain.

You're right above that it keeps the serotonin and noradrenalin in the brain longer instead of being taken up by receptors. It's explained really well here http://m.netdoctor.co.uk/depression/...es/zispin.html

Reference for which neurotransmitters this medication used is here http://whatyoushouldknow.depression-...s/mirtazapine/

[Ballerina123]

thank you

[Steel Maiden]

Mirtazapine has a high affinity for certain noradrenergic and serotonergic receptors. It has a binding profile to show for this (you can find binding profiles online).

It is a bit more noradrenergic than serotonergic.

However it doesn't really have any affinity for monoamine transporters so it is not a reuptake inhibitor.

I believe the fact that the alpha-2 adrenergic receptor being an autoreceptor enhances the noradrenergic part.

Interestingly mirtazapaine has a high affinity for 5HT3 receptors, which means that it is very effective as an antiemetic.

What dose are you on?

[Ballerina123]

thanks im on 15mg. does it matter what dose it is as to how it works?

[Steel Maiden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ballerina123

thanks im on 15mg. does it matter what dose it is as to how it works?

Mirtazapine paradoxically causes more sedation at lower doses than higher I believe.

[Bear]

I was taught that your brain is a house, seratonin is a ball and the transmitters are little people.
Normally, one person throws the ball out of the window. Another person catches the ball and puts it through the front door. The first person throws the ball through the window again and the loop repeats. That's called reuptake.
Antidepressants close the front door of the house. The little person is still throwing seratonin out the window, but instead of them coming back in again they stay outside so there's more of then available.
Does anyone understand that other than me? Lol x

[Snow White.]

^ I love that so much!

[Ballerina123]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear

I was taught that your brain is a house, seratonin is a ball and the transmitters are little people.
Normally, one person throws the ball out of the window. Another person catches the ball and puts it through the front door. The first person throws the ball through the window again and the loop repeats. That's called reuptake.
Antidepressants close the front door of the house. The little person is still throwing seratonin out the window, but instead of them coming back in again they stay outside so there's more of then available.
Does anyone understand that other than me? Lol x

This is an amazing way to explain it. Thanks :)