Parkinson's

What Parkinson’s Medications Treat

Parkinson's medications can be used to treat many different related symptoms of the condition. Some of these include:

• Tremors
• Stiffness
• Slowed movement
• Postural instability
• Muscle rigidity
• Motor fluctuations and “off” periods
• Non-motor symptoms (such as those involving sleep or mood)

Types of Parkinson’s Medications Offered

Patients can be prescribed a variety of different medication types to help treat their Parkinson’s disease symptoms.

Levodopa-Based Therapies

These therapies are often thought to be some of the most effective for Parkinson’s treatment. There are a few different variations of this treatment type. These include carbidopa-levodopa and inhaled levodopa. There is also an infusion variation. These medications work by helping levodopa get to the brain where it can become dopamine and reduce symptoms of the disease.

Dopamine Agonists

These medications include those like pramipexole and rotigotine. It also includes medications like apomorphine. These medications work by mimicking the dopamine effects instead of physically changing into dopamine. They are usually less effective. However, they last longer.

MAO-B Inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors are also sometimes used for Parkinson’s disease treatment. These include medications like selegiline and rasagiline. It also includes safinamide. These inhibitors work by blocking the MAO B enzymes—the enzymes that break down the dopamine inside the patient’s brain. It is also sometimes used with levodopa to help its effects last longer.

COMT Inhibitors

Catechol O-methyltransferase inhibitors also work by blocking enzymes that break down dopamine. These are usually used to prolong the effects of levodopa. These medications include those such as entacapone and opicapone. It also includes those such as tolcapone.

Anticholinergics

These medications are mostly used for reducing severe tremors in those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. These medications used to be frequently used for treatment. However, they are less commonly used now. These medications include those like benztropine and trihexyphenidyl.

Adjunct Therapies for Motor Fluctuations

Some patients may also be treated with adjunct therapies for their Parkinson’s disease. These might include therapies such as device-aided therapies—or deep brain stimulation—or intestinal gel infusions. Some patients may also receive on-demand injections or continuous apomorphine infusions.

Popular Parkinson’s Medications Available

• Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet) Those with Parkinson’s disease lack dopamine in the brain and have difficulty controlling their movement as a result. This carbidopa and levodopa medication combination helps produce dopamine and allows it to move quickly into the brain. The levodopa part becomes the dopamine. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of dopamine and assists its movement to the brain.
• Ropinirole (Requip) This medication is a dopamine agonist that is used to treat Parkinson’s and restless leg syndrome. This medication works by mimicking how dopamine works in the body. This medication comes in both regular tablet and extended-release tablet forms.
• Pramipexole (Mirapex) Pramipexole is another dopamine agonist. It is used for the treatment of conditions like Parkinson’s disease and restless leg syndrome. It also works by mimicking dopamine in the brain and relieving symptoms related to the conditions. There are regular tablet and extended-release tablet forms.
• Rasagiline (Azilect) This medication is considered to be an antiparkinson agent and a MAO-B inhibitor. It raises dopamine levels in the brain to help manage symptoms. This helps reduce the movement-related effects of Parkinson’s disease. This medication also comes in an oral tablet form.
• Entacapone (Comtan) Entacapone is a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor. It helps with Parkinson’s disease by slowing down the rate at which levodopa is broken down. This makes the effect of this medication last longer for patients.
• Selegiline (Eldepryl) This medication is an MAO blocker. It works by slowing down neurotransmitters in the brain and is commonly used with other Parkinson’s medications to make the dopamine stay in the brain for longer periods of time. This medication is usually used multiple times per day.
• Amantadine This medication is not usually a first choice for Parkinson’s treatment. However, it is often used for reducing the amount of involuntary movements patients have—or “dyskinesia”–-caused by the disease. It can also help patients feel less tired and may be effective for treating stiffness and early symptoms of the disease.

Why Order Parkinson's Meds from MyRx Outlet

Patients can order from MyRx Outlet to get lower prices on their long-term and essential Parkinson’s treatments. We get all of our medications through licensed Canadian pharmacies and offer additional professional support to patients. All medications are shipped securely and discreetly to patients’ homes in the U.S. We also have easy options for prescription refills and transfers.