Serotonin receptor agonist

Serotonin receptor agonists are a type of drug that act upon one or more of the serotonin receptors. They are often used in the treatment of various mental disorders, including depression, anxiety, and migraines.

Mechanism of Action

Serotonin receptor agonists work by mimicking the effects of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood regulation, sleep, and other bodily functions. These drugs bind to serotonin receptors in the brain, stimulating them to produce a response similar to that of natural serotonin.

Types of Serotonin Receptor Agonists

There are several types of serotonin receptor agonists, each targeting different types of serotonin receptors. These include:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs): These drugs increase the levels of serotonin in the brain by blocking its reuptake into the presynaptic cell, which increases the level of serotonin in the synaptic cleft available to bind to the postsynaptic receptor.

• Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs): These drugs work by inhibiting the reuptake of not only serotonin, but also norepinephrine, another neurotransmitter.

• Triptans: These are a class of drugs used specifically for the treatment of migraines and cluster headaches. They work by stimulating the 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors in the brain.

Side Effects

Like all drugs, serotonin receptor agonists can have side effects. These can include nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, and sexual dysfunction. In rare cases, they can cause a potentially life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome, which is characterized by high body temperature, agitation, increased reflexes, tremor, sweating, dilated pupils, and diarrhea.

See Also

• Serotonin antagonist
• Serotonin syndrome
• Neurotransmitter