“Those who fight Parkinson’s with knowledge always find solutions” Dr. Rana
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers by education and providing other supportive services.
“Those who fight Parkinson’s with knowledge always find solutions” Dr. Rana
Our mission is to improve the quality of life of individuals with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers by education and providing other supportive services.
What is the treatment for Parkinson’s?
Unfortunately there is no cure for Parkinson’s at this stage but there are many different treatment options available which can help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and improve quality of life of patients significantly. Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment of Parkinson’s. Physiotherapy and speech therapy are also helpful in conjunction with medications. Carefully selected patients may benefit from surgery as well.
Which treatment do I need?
The treatment of Parkinson’s may vary person to person and depends on a number of factors such as symptoms at the onset, the side of body involved (dominant versus non-dominant) and age at onset. A working person may need to be started on drug therapy earlier than someone who is retired because of difficulty in carrying out activities related to employment. The medications are usually started before or when your activities of daily life are starting to be affected because of Parkinson’s.It is important to keep in mind that these drugs will not stop the progression of the disease. However, they will reduce your symptoms, so you are better able to carry out your daily activities. The medications used for Parkinson’s may have some potential side effects as well. The medications must only be used as prescribed by physician. Do not adjust the dosage of your medications without the advice of your physician.
What are different medications used for Parkinson’s?
This is just a summary of the medications used for Parkinson’s but you should strictly follow the plan formulated by your neurologist about the treatment of your condition.
Medications used for Parkinson’s Disease
| Name | Dosage | Side Effects |
| Amantadine(Symmetrel®) | Started 100 mg once daily increased to 100 mg three times daily slowly | Leg swellingVisual hallucinations Livedo reticularis( a web like rash on arms and legs) |
| AnticholinergicsTrihexyphenidyl (Artane®) | Started 1 mg once daily, slowly increased up to 2 mg three times daily, maximum dose is 5 mg three times daily | Dry mouth, urinary problems, constipation, visual problems, confusion |
| MAOB Inhibitors | ||
| a.Rasagiline(Azilect®) | Started 0.5 mg once daily, may be increased to 1 mg once daily | Joint problems, flu like illness, exacerbation of side effects of levodopa when used as adjunctive |
| b.Selegiline(Eldepryl®) | Started 5 mg in am once daily and increased to 5 mg twice daily. Last dose in early afternoon | Insomnia if taken later in the day, exacerbation of side effects of levodopa when used as adjunctive |
| Dopamine Agonists | ||
| a.Pramipexole (Mirapex®) | Started 0.125 mg, three times daily, increased weekly, maximum dose is 1.5 mg three times daily. | Sudden onset Sleepiness, behavioural problems like compulsive gambling, eating and shopping, hypersexuality, punding, visual hallucinations, leg swelling |
| b.Ropinirole (Requip®)) | Started 0.25 mg/d, three times daily, increased weekly, maximum dose is 8 mg three times | Same as Pramipexole |
| Levodopa | ||
| Levodopa/ Carbidopa(Sinemet®) | Started ½ of 100/25 tablet, once daily, increased by ½ tablet every 1-3 days to 1 tablet three times daily. Daily dosage 300 to 2000 mg per day divided in three to multiple times daily. | Dizziness, nausea, vivid dreaming, sleepiness, |
| Levodopa/Carbidopa Controlled-Released(Sinemet CR®) | 100/25 tablet or 200/50 tablet, | Same as Levodopa/ Carbidopa |
| Levodopa / bensarazide ( Prolopa®) | Started 50/12.5 capsule, once daily, increased every 1-3 days to 100/25 capsule three times daily, Daily dosage 300 to 2000 mg per day divided in three to multiple times daily. | Same as Levodopa/ Carbidopa |
| COMT InhibitorEntacapone (Comtan®)) | 200 mg with each dose of levodopa up to a maximum of 1600 mg of daily | Orange discolouration of urine, diarrhea, may potentiate side effects of levodopa |
What are some steps I can take to manage my drug treatment?
This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your physician.
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