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Medicine for Parkinson's Disease

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of several conditions defined as a motor system disorder. These malfunctions are due to loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) says that scientists are working to develop new protective drugs that can prevent, delay or potentially reverse the symptoms of PD. Presently, there is no cure for PD, but there are a number of medications that increase the brain's supply of dopamine, thereby some symptoms of PD.

  1. Levodopa

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, the most effective drug for PD is levodopa, which is a natural compound that we all have in our body. When consumed orally, levodopa enters into the brain and is turned into dopamine. Levodopa is mixed with carbidopa to produce the drug Sinemet. Carbidopa postpones the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain.

      The NIH says more than 75 percent of PD patients are helped by levodopa. Unfortunately, as the disease worsens, the therapeutic value of levodopa may begin to fade.

      Side effects of levodopa may include involuntary movements, chronic nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

    Dopamine Agonists

    • Dopamine agonists differ from levodopa because they are not transformed into dopamine. They work by mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain and prompt neurons to respond as though dopamine is present.

      Dopamine agonists are not as effective in treating PD symptoms, but they tend to last for a longer duration and are often used as backup support when the effectiveness of levodopa becomes less reliable.

      The side effects of dopamine agonists are hallucinations, sleepiness or swelling. They've also been linked to causing compulsive behaviors such as hypersexuality and compulsive overeating.

    MAO B Inhibitors

    • MAO B (monoamine oxidase B) inhibitors such as selegiline (Eldepryl) and rasagiline (Azilect) help inhibit the cessation of both natural dopamine and dopamine formed from levodopa. Although side effects are uncommon, they can interfere with certain narcotics and antidepressant medications.

    Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors

    • Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors extend the life of carbidopa-levodopa therapy by inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down levodopa. Side effects can include liver function abnormalities, nausea and diarrhea.

    Anticholinergics and Anitvirals

    • Anticholinergics such as such as trihexyphenidyl and benztropine (Cogentin) may provide moderate control over the tremor associated with PD. However, the side effects, which can include confusion and hallucinations, may outweigh the benefits of anticholinergics.

      Antivirals include amantadine (Symmetrel) may be prescribed for temporary relief of early stage PD. It also may be added to carbidopa-levodopa in the latter stages of the disease. Side effects include swollen ankles and purple blotches on the skin.

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