Early Treatment for Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease leads to a progressive decrease in muscle control caused by the loss of cells producing the brain chemical dopamine. Although early symptoms of Parkinson's are generally mild, they can still be targeted with drug therapies.

Amantadine

• Doctors may prescribe the antiviral drug amantadine to treat tremor in its earliest stages, according to the Mayo Clinic and Medline Plus.

Side Effects

• The side effects of amantadine include swelling in the ankles and purple skin. The Mayo Clinic reports that amantadine only provides relief from tremor in the short-term.

Anticholinergics

• Anticholinergic medications, which block the action of a brain chemical called acetylcholine, are also used in the early treatment of Parkinson's disease, according to Medline Plus.

Warning

• Anticholinergics may lead to serious side effects like confusion and this medication and may not provide much benefit to people with Parkinson's disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Considerations

• There is no cure for Parkinson's disease, and the Mayo Clinic reports that medications don't work as well over time to combat the disease.