HomeSymptomsWhat Medications Are Used For Parkinson's Disease

What Medications Are Used For Parkinson’s Disease

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Naturaltreatment For Parkinsons #9 Exercise And Other Alternative Therapies:

Medications for the Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease

Regular exercise has been shown to help Parkinsonssufferers by reducing muscle stiffness, increasing mobility, and enhancing postureand balance. Exercise also increases oxygen levels and neurotransmitters, alongwith releasing potent mood elevating chemicals called endorphins.

The type of exercise performed for PD is crucial. Aqua orwater aerobics can be particularly useful as traditional exercise is usuallyquite difficult for many Parkinsons sufferers. Muscle decline, loss of strength,stiffness and loss of balance can make conventional exercises difficult toperform. The great thing about aqua aerobics is it still has the same benefits as other exercise regimens,but the risk of falling is eliminated.

Other types of exercises that can be beneficial for PDsufferers include Tai Chi, Yoga, dancing, walking, aerobic/jazzercise classes,and general stretching.

For more information on the different exercise programsavailable for Parkinsons patients, you can check out this website ;Exercise and Physical Therapy for ParkinsonsDisease

Which Medications Are Used In The Treatment Of Parkinson Disease

The cornerstone of symptomatic treatment for Parkinson disease is dopamine replacement therapy. The criterion standard of symptomatic therapy is levodopa , the metabolic precursor of dopamine, in combination with carbidopa, a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor . This combination provides the greatest symptomatic benefit with the fewest short-term adverse effects.

Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole and ropinirole can be used as monotherapy to improve symptoms in early disease or as adjuncts to levodopa in patients whose response to levodopa is deteriorating and in those who are experiencing fluctuations in their response to levodopa.

Monoamine oxidase -B inhibitors provide symptomatic benefit as monotherapy in early disease and as adjuncts to levodopa in patients experiencing motor fluctuations.

Catechol-O -methyl transferase inhibitors inhibitors such as entacapone and tolcapone may be used to increase the peripheral half-life of levodopa, thereby delivering more levodopa to the brain over a longer time.

Anticholinergic medications can be used for the treatment of resting tremor. However, they are not particularly effective for bradykinesia, rigidity, gait disturbance, or other features of advanced Parkinson disease; and cognitive side effects are common. Therefore, anticholinergics are usually reserved for the treatment of tremor that is not adequately controlled with dopaminergic medications.

References

Dopamine Agonist Withdrawal Syndrome

If you suddenly stop taking dopamine agonists, this can lead to dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, which can cause symptoms such as depression, anxiety or pain.

Any withdrawal from Parkinsons drugs needs to be done in a tapered way, under the supervision of a health professional.

Speak to your specialist for advice.

Read Also: Is Parkinson’s Caused By Too Much Dopamine

Naturalremedy For Parkinsons #7 Omega

Animal based omega-3 fatty acids are a powerful weapon inthe fight against Parkinsons disease. One of the main fatty acids, DHA, is oneof the essential building blocks for the human brain. Half of your brain andeyes are made up of fat and a large proportion of this is DHA fat.

Omega-3 fatty acids have the unique ability to cross theblood-brain barrier, something most conventional drugs cannot do. They helpincrease dopamine levels and reduce neuroinflammation in the brain, while atthe same time, stimulating neuron growth. So basically, EPA and DHA help preventbrain cell damage and keep the nervous system in tip top working order! ;4;

Best sources of animal based omega-3s are either fishoil, cod liver oil or krill oil. High strength krill oil is the preferred option as thiscontains a substance called Astaxanthin. Astaxanthin is a potent brain food nutrientthat has been shown to prevent neurodegeneration and inflammation of the brain.For dosages, take AT LEAST the highest recommended amount listed on the bottle the same goes with fish oil or cod liver oil. You cant overdose on thesesupplements so theres nothing to be concerned about. In fact, the more omega-3syou can get into you the better the results!

In addition to this, try and eat some cold water fattyfish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines or herring 3-4 times a week foran extra supply of DHA and EPA.;

Your Parkinson’s Drug Treatment

Drugs Used in the Treatment of Parkinsons Disease ...

Dopamine is a chemical messenger made in the brain. The symptoms of Parkinsons appear when dopamine levels become too low. ; This is because many of the cells in your brain that produce dopamine have died or are dying. Taking dopamine as a drug doesnt work because it cannot cross the blood brain barrier. To get around this, doctors use other medication that can act in a similar way.

You May Like: Which Part Of The Brain Is Affected By Parkinson’s Disease

Thanks For Signing Up

We are proud to have you as a part of our community. To ensure you receive the latest Parkinsons news, research updates and more, please check your email for a message from us. If you do not see our email, it may be in your spam folder. Just mark as not spam and you should receive our emails as expected.

Mechanism Of Action Of Available Drugs

The major classes of drugs currently available for the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease are shown in Table 1. Many aim to increase dopamine in the brain, by increasing its production or altering its metabolism .

Table 1

Drugs with alter metabolism in boxed red italics

Levodopa

Levodopa is absorbed from the small intestine and transported into the brain where it is converted to dopamine. Levodopa has a short plasma half-life of about one hour. Early in Parkinson’s disease, levodopa has a long duration of action which is independent of plasma concentration, but as the disease progresses, the duration of the effect reduces. The short-duration effect is strongly linked to plasma concentration and lasts, at most, hours.

Slow-release preparations are gradually absorbed, resulting in more sustained plasma concentrations. They have reduced bioavailability; higher doses are required to match the benefit of an equivalent strength of a standard preparation. Rapid release preparations are taken in liquid form to enhance passage through the stomach and absorption from the small intestine.

Dopamine agonists

Apomorphine is a potent emetic so patients must be pre-treated with domperidone 20 mg three times daily orally for at least 48 hours before the first injection. Domperidone should be continued for at least a few weeks once regular intermittent treatment has commenced. The dose can then be tapered slowly as tolerance to the emetic effects of apomorphine usually develops.

Also Check: Does Parkinson’s Disease Cause Personality Changes

Impulsive And Compulsive Behavior

Some people taking dopamine agonists may experience problems with impulsive or compulsive behaviours. For example an increased desire to gamble or engage in sexual activity. These behaviours often develop slowly so may not seem to be a problem immediately. It is important for both the person living with Parkinsons and their family to be aware of this side effect. If affected by this side effect, a reduction in dose or stopping the medication will stop the behaviour.

How Effective Is The Treatment In The Early Stages

5 Medications for Parkinsons Disease

It’s difficult to predict how successful treatment will be. The medications don’t have the same effect in everyone and it can sometimes take a while to find the right dose. A noticeable effect can generally be expected within one or two weeks of starting treatment: Movements become easier again and stiffness reduces. Those kinds of symptoms can continue to improve for up to three months after starting treatment. Tremor is often more difficult to treat. Sometimes it only goes away after months or even years of taking medication.

If the symptoms are mild, MAO-B inhibitors are sometimes considered instead. MAO-B inhibitors can relieve symptoms and delay the need to take levodopa by a few months. But they aren’t as effective as levodopa or dopamine agonists, and they aren’t suitable for treating more severe symptoms when used alone.

Don’t Miss: Does Parkinson’s Disease Cause Fatigue

What Should Be Considered When Taking The Medication

To be able to work properly, the medication should be taken at set times of the day. It’s not always easy to remember to take it regularly. It can help to always take the medication when you do a certain part of your daily routine, like when you brush your teeth. Writing yourself notes or using smartphone app reminders can also be helpful.

L-Dopa shouldn’t be taken less than an hour before or after eating protein-rich meals because protein-rich food can interfere with the absorption of L-Dopa into the blood. Dopamine agonists, on the other hand, are taken with meals. Taking medication at the wrong time of day can make the symptoms worse.

People often have to take more than one type of medication. If the symptoms can’t be reduced enough or side effects become too strong, many people switch to a different medication or start taking another one additionally.

Natural Remedies And Treatments For Parkinsons Finalnote

So there you have our top 10 natural remedies andtreatments for reversing Parkinsons disease. We believe this is one of the most informative andthorough health articles on this disease youll find anywhere on the internet. Ifyou follow these 10 tips to-the-letter and continue to use them consistently,we guarantee that in 3-6 months time you will be truly astounded at themiraculous level of improvement youll see. In 12 months time you will scarcely;recognize yourself! . But of course, you must stickwith them and follow through with each remedy every day if you want them towork. We sincerely hope you do.

Good luck and best wishes.

P.S.;Because Parkinsons is closely linked to Alzheimers disease and actually goes under the dementia umbrella, we recommend you take the time to read our Powerful Natural Remedies for Dementia and Alzheimers article for a more complete and comprehensive understanding on the causes and treatments for these diseases. You can click on the link below to go there

You May Like: Is Parkinson’s More Common In Males

Starting As A New Patient

When you start as a new patient at the Brain Treatment Center Dallas, you will initially need two appointments, approximately two days apart. Both appointments will be about an hour in length. These appointments will be used to determine if Dr. Miller feels you can truly benefit from the MeRTSM Program and, if so, to develop a tailored treatment plan based on your test results. Once you have done the testing and Consultation, you are not obliged to begin treatment. This is something that you will determine once you have seen your test results and consulted with Dr. Miller.

At the first appointment, we will go over your reasons for seeking help, your medical history, your health goals, and all of your symptoms. You will then begin initial testing, which will involve an EEG and an EKG. These are both completely painless and easy and are done right in our office. Your information and test results are then sent over to our scientific and clinical teams, who will carefully analyze the results and determine the current state and functioning of the brain together with Dr. Miller.

We use a patented, scientific approach with the neurophysiological data gathered through testing to then develop a highly customized treatment plan that is aimed at encouraging healthy brain communication and function.

Side Effects And Problems Of Anticholinergics

Drugs used in the management of Parkinson

Another reason these drugs are not a first choice for treating Parkinsons are their side effects. Some people may experience confusion, a dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision when taking anticholinergics.

Anticholinergics may interfere with levodopa absorption in the small bowel, which reduces the effectiveness of Madopar or Sinemet, forms of the drug levodopa.

Anticholinergics are not usually prescribed to older people with Parkinsons because there is an increased risk of memory loss and, in men, problems urinating.

Also Check: What Body Systems Are Affected By Parkinson’s Disease

Natural Treatment For Parkinsons #3 Turmeric And Otherherbs And Spices:

A recent study published in the journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy, foundthat the extracts in turmeric, particularly curcumin and the newly discovered Ar-turmerone,can regenerate a damaged brain and reverse neurological disorders.; Researchers said Ar-turmerone is a promising candidate to supportregeneration in neurologic disease. Michigan State University researcherBasir Ahmad also found that a compound in turmeric may help fight Parkinsonsdisease by disrupting the proteins responsible for the disease.

Another study published in the Pharmacognosy Magazine found that tumeric can prevent and evenreverse the toxic effects exerted on the brain from fluoride exposure. Fluorideis a nasty and dangerous heavy metal that destroys brain cells and the intricateworkings of the central nervous system. Fluoride poisoning has also beenimplicated in the development of neurological diseases such as Alzheimers,Parkinsons, ALS and multiple sclerosis. 7

Turmeric is also a very potent anti-inflammatory spice. Because Parkinsons is aninflammation type disease, turmeric will help immensely. A heaped teaspoon ofhigh quality turmeric powder taken 3 times daily in asmoothie will do the trick. Just make sure you combine it with 10-12 blackpeppercorns for enhanced absorption Turmeric is also fat soluble so youll need tocombine it with some coconut oil, red palm oil or fish/krill oil as well.

Some Disadvantages Of Mao

When selegiline is taken together with levodopa, side effects such as dyskinesias , hallunications or vivid dreaming may sometimes occur or worsen.

When people have taken rasagiline on its own , the most commonly reported side effects have been:

When taken with levodopa, the most common reports have been of uncontrolled movements and accidental falls.

Many of these side effects may be due to the increase in dopamine caused by rasagiline or selegiline. Your doctor or consultant can alter the dosage to correct these effects.;

If youre taking some types of antidepressant, you might not be able to take MAO-B inhibitors, as these drugs can interact with each other to raise blood pressure to a dangerous level.

Your neurologist or pharmacist is the best person to advise on potential interactions with other medications.

Read Also: What Is The Pathophysiology Of Parkinson’s Disease

How Anticholinergics Are Used

These medications are older and are not used very often for Parkinsons today. Sometimes they are prescribed for reducing tremor and muscle stiffness. They can be used on their own, especially in the early stages of your Parkinsons when symptoms are mild, before levodopa is prescribed.

Anticholinergics can also be used with levodopa or a glutamate antagonist. They are taken as tablets or as a liquid.

Natural Remedy For Parkinsons #4 Chlorella And Borax:

Drugs used in parkinsons disease

If you have a neurological disease such as Parkinsons orAlzheimers, the importance of removing heavy metals from the body – especiallyfrom the brain and nervous system – cannot be overstated. Heavy metalsaccumulate in the brain and nervous system at a rapid rate and cause damage tothe neurological pathways and brain inflammation. Fluoride is one ofthe worst, however, mercury, lead, aluminium and cadmium are also extremely dangerous.Chlorella and borax not only remove these heavy metals completely, theycontinue to prevent further toxic build-ups.

Chlorella is a miracle blue-green algae and one of themost powerful detoxifiers and chelators yet discovered. Whenits combined with cilantro, its benefits are enhancedsignificantly. A Russian study found that chlorella, combined with cilantro,was able to remove all heavy metals from the body, including fluoride and mercury,with no adverse or harmful side effects. You can purchase chlorellain powdered form online or from most health food stores. Just make sure you buythe Broken Cell Wall Chlorella as this is the strongest and most bio-available.For dosage recommendations, simply follow the directions on the container.

Read Also: How Does A Person With Parkinson’s Feel

Which One First: Levodopa Or Dopamine Agonists

Treatment is often started with just one medication. Levodopa and dopamine agonists are the most effective. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages that play an important role when deciding which one to take.

Dopamine agonists are usually recommended for people under the age of 60 to 70, in order to delay the onset of movement problems. Levodopa is usually recommended for older people because it’s better tolerated. Some people take a combination of levodopa and dopamine agonists from the beginning.

  • Relieves Parkinson’s symptoms better than dopamine agonists do.
  • Has fewer side effects than dopamine agonists do.
  • Is better tolerated than dopamine agonists, especially in older people.
  • Can delay the onset of movement problems such as sudden “freezing” or uncontrolled movements.

It is currently difficult to say which medication is best suited to the various age groups. There can be perfectly valid reasons for people under the age of 70 to start using levodopa first. Various factors other than age play a role here, such as the severity of the symptoms or concerns about particular side effects. Because of this, it’s important to discuss the pros and cons of the different medications with your doctor when deciding which would be most suitable for you.

What If The Medications Are No Longer Effective Enough

After five years of treatment with medication, about 20 to 40 out of 100 people with Parkinson’s notice that the drugs are becoming less effective. Their effectiveness begins to fluctuate considerably: Those affected can sometimes no longer move at all for a while, and then they can move normally again. Another possible side effect of the medication is uncontrolled movements. This is a sign that there’s too much dopamine in some areas of the brain.

One aim of treatment is then to keep the effect of the medication as stable as possible. This may involve

  • changing the times of the day when you use the medication and changing how often you use it,
  • taking sustained-release tablets ,
  • changing the doses and taking additional medications such as COMT inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, anticholinergic drugs or MAO-B inhibitors,
  • taking a dopamine agonist in addition to levodopa.

Taking additional medication can increase your ability to move. It also decreases the likelihood of suddenly being unable to move. As mentioned above, though: the more medications you take, the more side effects can occur.

Over the course of the illness, many people develop related problems such as digestive problems and dizziness, sleep problems, or dementia. These often require additional treatment. It then becomes even more important to look out for possible interactions between the various medications.

Don’t Miss: Do Parkinson’s Patients Shake In Their Sleep

RELATED ARTICLES

Popular Articles