Posted by Cmatt on December 27, 2001, at 1:29:32
In reply to Why difference between Gabitril and benzos?, posted by MB on December 25, 2001, at 10:19:56
They both have an effect on GABA function, but do so my diffferent mechanisms. Gabatril does not have the benzodiazepine chemical structure like Xanax..ect. have which puts Gabatril into a different class of medication.
Gabatril is believed to make more GABA available to the brain for usage, but benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-benzodiazepine complex making better usage of the available GABA neurotransmitter.
Other than that, Gabatril and benzodiazepine medications do not share a similar chemical structure, which can make the potential side effect profile completely different.
It's like comparing TCA's and SSRI's. Both types of drugs have the potential to affect serotonin, but TCA's and SSRI's each have their own separate common side effects because of their different chemical structures.
That's the best explanation I can come up with.
Cmatt
poster:Cmatt
thread:87841
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011222/msgs/87925.html