Questions about two drugs -

[notBrad]

I read about Requip and it seemed like a good gamble so I got my PCP to write me a script for it. I really wanted to get Ibudilast. I am not a chemist, but it seems that Requip (C16H24N2O) and would also act similar to ibudilast (C14H18N2O). What opinions does anyone have?

 

[Kristina1]

I'm not a chemist either, but those numbers can make a big difference so I wouldnt assume the two are similar based on their chemical formula! H2O is water but H2O2 is hydrogen peroxide-- just one extra O and it makes a big change.

 

[KarenNWendyn]

They’re very different drugs with different mechanisms of action and have very different chemical structures despite some superficial similarities in chemical formula.

I got this info on Ibudilast from ALS News today:
Ibudilast is a small molecule that inhibits the activity of the phosphodiesterase-4 and -10 enzymes and the macrophage migration inhibitory factor. This reduces the activity of immune cells in the brain and increases the production of neurotrophic factors that support the survival and growth of motor neurons.

Ibudilast is now going through a phase 3 trial for ALS.

By contrast, Requip (Ropinirole) works by increasing Dopamine levels.

 

[GregK]

There are several Facebook folk who've recently started Requip.

 

[ShiftKicker]

Just came across this relatively recent thread during an unrelated search, thought it might add:
https://www.alsforums.com/forum/general-discussion-about-als-mnd/42727-requip-ropinirole.html