Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding Your Medications
Medications are key to treating Parkinson’s disease. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the medications listed below. Be sure you know the names of your medications and when to take them. You should also talk with your doctor about possible side effects, and whether certain foods or alcohol should be avoided.
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Types of Medications*
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Examples
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How They Help
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Levodopa combined with carbidopa
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Sinemet, Sinemet CR
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Levodopa replaces missing dopamine. Carbidopa helps levodopa enter the brain with fewer side effects.
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Dopamine agonists
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Mirapex, Parlodel, Requip, Apokyn
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Imitate the way dopamine works in the brain.
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MAO-B inhibitors
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Eldepryl
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Help dopamine work longer.
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COMT inhibitors
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Comtan, Stalevo (combines Comtan and Sinemet)
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Taken with levodopa. Help dopamine enter the brain and work longer.
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NMDA antagonists
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Symmetrel
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Reduce involuntary movements and tremors.
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Anticholinergics
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Trihexyphenidyl, Cogentin
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Reduce tremor and rigidity.
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*This chart is not a complete list of Parkinson’s medications and does not imply endorsement of any type or brand. It also does not include all side effects, adverse reactions, interactions, or precautions for these drugs. Only your doctor can recommend or prescribe these medications.
Publication Source:
Leegwater, K; Waters, C, Conn's current therapy 2007, 59th ed., Parkinsonism, 2007, pp 1100-1106
Online Source:
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
http://www.pdf.org/AboutPD/med_treatment.cfm
Date Last Reviewed:
1/15/2007
Date Last Modified:
2/27/2006