Dopamine
Dopamine is a type of hormone and neurotransmitter that helps regulate movement, motivation, learning, attention and the brain’s reward system. It plays a key role in controlling physical movement as well as reinforcing behaviours by signalling reward, anticipation and the drive to repeat actions associated with pleasure or perceived benefit.
Dopamine Agonists
Dopamine agonists are a family of synthetic drugs that mimic the effects of dopamine by stimulating the brain’s dopamine receptors. They come in a variety of forms and are prescribed for a range of conditions - most commonly, Parkinson’s Disease, Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and related sleep movement disorders, and pituitary endocrine disorders such as hyperprolactinaemia and prolactinoma.
Below are the most common types:
Pramipexole
Brand names: Mirapexin, Sifrol
Used for: Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome
Form: Tablets, extended-release tablets
Ropinirole
Brand names: Requip, Adartrel
Used for: Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome
Form: Tablets, extended-release tablets
Rotigotine
Brand names: Neupro
Used for: Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome
Form: Transdermal skin patches
Apomorphine
Brand names: APO-go, Dacepton
Used for: Advanced Parkinson’s disease
Form: Injection, infusion pump
Cabergoline
Brand names: Cabaser, Dostinex
Used for: Prolactinoma, hyperprolactinaemia, Parkinson’s disease (less commonly)
Form: Tablets
Bromocriptine
Brand names: Parlodel
Used for: Parkinson’s disease, prolactinoma, hyperprolactinaemia
Form: Tablets
Partial Dopamine Agonists
Partial dopamine agonists are a related class of medications most commonly used within psychiatry (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression) and Tourette syndrome. Unlike “full” dopamine agonists, they do not fully stimulate dopamine receptors, but can both dampen and enhance dopamine signalling depending on the brain region and underlying dopamine activity. There are three commonly used examples:
Aripiprazole
Brand names: Abilify
Used for: Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression augmentation, Tourette syndrome
Form: Tablets, oral solution, injection
Brexpiprazole
Brand names: Rexulti
Used for: Depression augmentation, schizophrenia
Form: Tablets
Cariprazine
Brand names: Reagila, Vraylar
Used for: Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia
Form: Capsules