Medications Used to Treat Parkinson Disease

Dopamine precursor

Levodopa (given with carbidopa)

For levodopa: Involuntary movements (of the mouth, face, and limbs), nightmares, low blood pressure when a person stands up (orthostatic hypotension), constipation, nausea, drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, palpitations, and flushing

If levodopa/carbidopa is suddenly stopped, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (with high fever, high blood pressure, muscle stiffness, muscle damage, and coma), which can be life threatening

Levodopa/carbidopa is the mainstay of treatment. Carbidopa helps increase the effectiveness of levodopa and reduce its side effects. After several years, the effectiveness of the combination may lessen.

Dopamine agonists

Apomorphine

Severe nausea, vomiting, and lumps (nodules) under the skin at the injection site

This quick-acting medication is injected under the skin. It is used as rescue therapy to reverse the off effects of levodopa.

Pramipexole

Ropinirole

Drowsiness, nausea, light-headedness (due to orthostatic hypotension), confusion, obsessive-compulsive behavior, new or increased urges (such as gambling), and hallucinations

When these medications are suddenly stopped, neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Early in the disease, these medications may be used alone or with small doses of levodopa to possibly delay levodopa’s side effects. Later in the disease, dopamine agonists are useful when the on-off effects of levodopa make it less effective. These medications are especially useful in people under 60.

Rotigotine

Drowsiness, nausea, light-headedness (due to orthostatic hypotension), confusion, obsessive-compulsive behavior, new or increased urges (such as gambling), hallucinations, weight gain (possibly due to fluid retention), and sometimes skin irritation where the patch is applied

Rotigotine is available as a skin patch. It is used alone, early in the disease. The patch is worn continuously for 24 hours, then removed and replaced. The patch should be placed in different locations each day to reduce risk of irritating the skin, which may become red and itchy.

MAO-B inhibitors

Rasagiline

Nausea, insomnia, drowsiness, and swelling due to fluid accumulation (edema)

Rasagiline can be used alone to postpone the use of levodopa but is often given as a supplement to levodopa. At best, rasagiline is modestly effective.

Selegiline

When given with levodopa, worsening of levodopa's side effects, including nausea, confusion, insomnia, and involuntary movements

Selegiline can be used alone to postpone the use of levodopa but is often given as a supplement to levodopa. At best, selegiline is modestly effective.

COMT inhibitors

Entacapone

Opicapone

Tolcapone

When given with levodopa, possibly worsening of levodopa's side effects, including nausea, confusion, and involuntary movements

Diarrhea, back pain, and orange urine

Rarely with tolcapone, risk of liver damage

COMT inhibitors can be used to supplement levodopa late in the disease and to extend the interval between doses of levodopa. They are used only with levodopa.

When tolcapone is used, doctors periodically do blood tests to evaluate how well the liver is functioning and whether it is damaged (liver tests)

Anticholinergic medications*

Benztropine

Trihexyphenidyl

Tricyclic antidepressants (such as amitriptyline), used if depression also needs to be treated

Some antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine)

Drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, constipation, difficulty urinating, loss of bladder control, and impaired regulation of body temperature

Anticholinergic medications may be given alone in the early stages to young people whose most troublesome symptom is tremor. These medications can reduce tremor but do not affect slow movements or relieve muscle stiffness.

Doctors try to avoid using these medications in older adults because the side effects are particularly troublesome for older adults.

Antiviral medication

Amantadine

Nausea, dizziness, insomnia, anxiety, confusion, edema, difficulty urinating, worsening of glaucoma, and mottled discoloration of the skin due to dilated blood vessels (livedo reticularis)

Rarely, when amantadine is stopped or the dose is reduced, neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Amantadine is used alone in the early stages for mild disease but may become ineffective after several months. Later, it is used to supplement levodopa and to lessen involuntary movements due to levodopa.