Parkinsons Disease Medication
Parkinson’s disease medications are widely available for the treatment, but unfortunately not cure, of the disorder. Medication can relieve the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and can be one of many method of managing the condition along with surgery, therapies, exercise and nutrition.
Parkinson’s disease medications are generally divided into three options: Levodopa, Dopamine agnostics, and MAO-B inhibitors.
Parkinsons Disease Medication
Levodopa (or L-dopa) is the most widely used of the Parkinson’s disease medications – and of all treatments. However, on its own it can be counterproductive (after metabolization), so it is usually combined with carbidopa or benserazide. This combination is known as duodopa, and is administered as a gel using a patient-operated, portable pump that delivers the drug continuously into the upper small intestine. Due to possible liver failure, the drug is not easily available.
Dopamine agonists (bromocriptine, pergolide, pramipexole, ropinirole, cabergoline, apomorphine and lisuride) are a less common Parkinson’s disease medication, and are considered to be somewhat effective and have the same side effects as Levodopa in addition to somnolence (drowsiness), hallucinations and/or insomnia. It is administered via subcutaneous (beneath the skin) injection using a small pump, and unfortunately is not effective for long periods of time, since the body’s reaction after prolonged use can actually worsen symptoms.
MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline and rasagiline) reduce symptoms by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine. Again, as with the other Parkinson’s disease medications, there could be side-effects, such as insomnia. Combination with other drugs (L-dopa) have caused concern due to unexplained mortality, but further studies did not produce confirmed results.
Always ask your doctor before beginning any new medications, and if you are unsure about which of the Parkinson’s disease medications would be best for you, consult an expert.
