Posted by JohnX on April 15, 2001, at 22:21:10
In reply to Re: Inderal-vs-Pindolol, posted by SLS on April 14, 2001, at 18:39:42
> > > Is there a difference between Pindolol and Inderal as
> > > far as helping with excess adrenaline [rapid heart beat,hyperhydrosis etc..]?
> > > The reason I ask is that I am currently without prescription coverage and have found inderal to be more
> > > affordable.
> > > Thank You
> >
> > Inderal is more potent. The medication fully blocks a receptor that reacts to adrenaline and causes the symptoms you describe. Pindolol is a partial antagonist at that receptor site.
> >
> > -John
>
>
> Hi folks.
>
> Both pindolol (Visken) and propanolol (Inderal) antagonize (block) NE beta receptors. It is this action that is responsible for their therapeutic effects in cardiovasculature conditions. However, the property of pindolol that is thought to be most involved in its proposed antidepressant action is the antagonism of serotonergic 5-HT alpha-1a autoreceptors, a receptor that is not affected by propanolol. The antagonism of these autoreceptors actually increases the sensitivity and firing rate of serotonergic neurons. The two drugs are best not thought of as being interchangeable when used for depressions.
>
>
> - ScottScott,
Propranolol from what I have seen also has an antagonist effect on the serotonin 5ht-1a receptor. However, it has not been shown to have much of an anti-depressant benefit. Many markers of anti-depressant action are down-regulation of beta-adrenoreceptor. Propranolol being a full beta blocker actually has a potential side effect of inducing depression as it potently blocks the beta-adrenoreceptor. Pindolol is a partial antagonist (or agonist, which ever way you look at it). So I suspect this is part of the reason that it does not induce depression and the 5ht action is anti-depressant. Any thoughts?
As far as blood pressure medications, my neurologist tells me that pindolol is hardly ever used because it is such a crummy bp med. Most docs I have mentioned it to have never even heard of it (besides the psychiatrist). But they all are familiar with Inderal.
From what I hear, Inderal is the med of choice for things like stage fright, aka any adrenaline related anxiety symptoms.
Here is an example reference to propranolol 5ht-1a antagonism (I have seen others):
Effect of propranolol and granisetron on experimentally induced pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia by intramuscular injection of serotonin into the human masseter muscle.
Pain 2000 Feb;84(2-3):339-46 (ISSN: 0304-3959)
Abstract: We have previously reported that intramuscular injection of serotonin (5-HT) into the masseter muscle elicits pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the 5-HT(3) receptor antagonist granisetron or 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist propranolol can reduce 5-HT induced pain and allodynia/hyperalgesia in
the masseter muscle....BTW, the reason I'm aware of this is because I have had chronic bruxism (teeth grinding) and tension headaches and there is evidence that both meds like propranolol and buspar can reduce bruxism. The mode of action of propranolol is thought to be mainly due to its serotonegic workings (as does buspar).
-John
poster:JohnX
thread:59717
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010411/msgs/59994.html