List of dopaminergic drugs
Dopaminergic drugs are a class of medications that act on the dopamine neurotransmitter system in the brain. These drugs can either increase the levels of dopamine or mimic its action, and are used in the treatment of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. This article provides an overview of dopaminergic drugs, categorized by their primary action or use.
Types of Dopaminergic Drugs[edit | edit source]
Dopamine Precursors[edit | edit source]
Dopamine precursors are compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier and are then converted into dopamine within the brain.
- Levodopa (L-DOPA)
- Used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia.
- Often combined with Carbidopa (as in Sinemet) or Benserazide to prevent peripheral conversion to dopamine.
Dopamine Receptor Agonists[edit | edit source]
These drugs directly stimulate dopamine receptors, mimicking the effect of dopamine in the brain.
- Pramipexole
- Ropinirole
- Rotigotine
- Apomorphine
- Primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors[edit | edit source]
These drugs block the reuptake of dopamine into neurons, increasing the level of dopamine available in the brain.
- Amphetamine and Methamphetamine
- Used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy.
- Cocaine
- Not used therapeutically due to its high potential for abuse and addiction.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors[edit | edit source]
These drugs inhibit the activity of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine, thus increasing dopamine levels.
- Selegiline
- Rasagiline
- Used as an adjunct therapy in Parkinson's disease.
Dopamine Antagonists[edit | edit source]
These drugs block dopamine receptors, reducing the effects of dopamine. They are primarily used in the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
- Antipsychotics (e.g., Haloperidol, Risperidone)
- Used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
See Also[edit | edit source]
This list is incomplete; you can help WikiMD by expanding it.
Note: This article provides a basic overview and does not cover all dopaminergic drugs or their complex pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
