Drugs That Are Helpful in Parkinson’s Patients

The body may have an early dramatic change after treatment begins for Parkinson’s disease. Sometimes however, the drugs become less effective and the benefits lessened. Normally, Parkinson’s symptoms can be controlled with drugs but your doctor may also recommend changes in your lifestyle that include a healthier diet, daily exercise, and physical therapy. In severe cases, a procedure called deep brain stimulation as a surgical technique for treatment.

Medications used to control Parkinson’s symptoms by increasing the brain’s supply of dopamine. Dopamine cannot be taken into the brain so taking dopamine is not helpful. Levodopa is the most effective drug used to treat Parkinson’s. It is naturally in your body but when taken in pill form, it passes to the brain and turned into dopamine. A combination of Levodopa and carbidopa keeps the dopamine from converting before it gets to the brain and helps prevent nausea. Levodopa may lose some effectiveness and has some side effects that would require adjustment in the dosage. The side effects of this particular drug are hallucinations, involuntary movements and jerking, confusion and delusions. Reducing the dosage can reduce these side effects, but the effectiveness is also reduced.

Another form of medication called dopamine agonists may are used to mimic the effects of dopamine in the brain. It causes the neurons to react as if dopamine is present. Even if they are not as affective in treating the symptoms, they do last longer and will sometimes help get the patient through the times when levodopa is not as effective. These dopamine agonists are available in pill form, patches, and a short-acting injection. The injection is used for quick relief. One brand of patches have been withdrawn from the market because of its association with developing heart valve problems. Side effects include compulsive behaviors, involuntary movements, hallucinations, swelling of the body, and sleepiness. If you are taking one of these medications and begin behaving in a way that is not natural to you, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Other possible medications for treating Parkinson’s disease are MAO B inhibitors that prevent dopamine, either natural or formed from levodopa, from breaking down and not entering the system. The enzyme that metabolizes dopamine in the brain is inhibited and side effects are rare but can interact with drugs being taken for depression and narcotic drugs. Included in this class of drugs are the COMT (Catechol O-methyltransferase) inhibitors. This particular medication is used for those who have not responded to other therapies because it is linked to liver damage and failure.

Antiviral drugs provide short-term relief for early stage Parkinson’s patients. It can be combined with levodopa for those who are suffering later stages of the disease especially if they have problems with involuntary movements or twitching. Your side effects include swollen ankles and the skin looking mottled and purple.

Anticholinergics have been used for many years to control the tremors that go with Parkinson’s disease. However, their benefit can be offset by severe side effects such as hallucinations and confusion. This is especially true in people 70 or over. Other side effects include dry mouth, nausea, severe constipation and urine retention in men already suffering for men with an enlarged prostate.

You and your doctor can decide which course of treatment is best for treating your symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

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