What drugs are active at dopaminergic synapses?
- COMT inhibitors such as entacapone prevent breakdown of dopamine in PD.
- MAO-B inhibitors such as selegiline and rasagiline prevent breakdown of dopamine in PD.
- Cocaine and other amphetamines inhibit DAT, producing euphoria.
- Dopamine receptor (D2 ± D1) agonists of the ergoline (e.g., bromocriptine and pergolide) and nonergoline (e.g., ropirinole and pramipexole) classes as well as apomorphine are used in PD.
- Dopamine receptor antagonists include antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, clozapine, risperidone) and antiemetics (e.g., metoclopramide).