Examples of articles on anti-Parkinson’s drugs that are available in the InsHeal Content Repository are given below. For further details and sample articles, please reach out to us at: insheal@insiwi.in.
| Drug | Description |
|---|---|
| Amantadine | An antiviral drug found to have antiparkinsonian activity via multiple mechanisms. It is used in the treatment of mild Parkinson’s disease. It may also be useful in suppressing levodopa-induced abnormal movements in advanced Parkinson’s disease. |
| Benztropine | Benztropine is a drug that belongs to group called central anticholinergic drugs. It is used as treatment of early Parkinson’s disease or in addition to levadopa. Elderly patients may suffer from adverse events such as confusion, memory impairment, dry mouth, urinary retention, and blurred vision. |
| Carbidopa | Carbidopa has no antiparkinsonian effects on its own, but it reduces the breakdown of levodopa. This allows the use of lower doses and and reduces side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and cardiac complications. |
| Entacapone | Entacapone belongs to a group of drugs called catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. It reduces the breakdown of levodopa thereby increasing its levels. It is used as an adjunct to eliminate the “wearing-off” effect in patients on Levodopa. It is preferred to tolcapone, another similar drug, since it does not cause the severe liver disease associated with tolcapone. |
| Istradefylline | Istradefylline acts through a different mechanism compared to other anti-Parkinson’s drugs. It is an adenosine receptor antagonist and is used in addition to other drugs in patients with Parkinson’s disease. |
| Levodopa (L-DOPA) | Levodopa is the most effective agent for Parkinson’s disease. It is co-administered with a drug such as carbidopa to increase the amount reaching the brain and therefore maximizing its effects and reducing side effects like nausea and abnormal heart rhythms. Its effectiveness could reduce over time. |
| Opicapone | Opicapone belongs to a group of drugs called catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. It reduces the breakdown of levodopa thereby increasing its levels. |
| Pramipexole | Pramiprexole is a drug belonging to a group called dopamine receptor agonists. It can be used as a single drug in early Parkinson’s disease (to delay levodopa initiation) or as adjunctive therapy in advanced stages. |
| Rasagiline | Rasagiline is a drug that belongs to the group called selective, irreversible Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors. It prevents the breakdown dopamine in the synaptic cleft, thereby prolonging and enhancing its effect. It can be used alone for the treatment of mild symptoms or combined with levodopa to enhance its effect. It can cause side effects when administered with other drugs, and should therefore be used with caution. Unlike the similar drug selegiline, rasagiline is more potent and does not cause mild insomnia. |
| Ropinirole | Ropinirole is a drug belonging to a group called dopamine receptor agonists. It can be used as a single drug in early Parkinson’s disease (to delay levodopa initiation) or as adjunctive therapy in advanced stages. |
| Rotigotine | Rotigoline is a drug which belongs to the group called dopamine agonists. It is primarily delivered via a once-daily transdermal patch. It is commonly prescribed to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and moderate-to-severe Restless Legs Syndrome. |
| Safinamide | Safinamide is an anti-Parkinson’s drug that belongs to a group called reversible MAO B inhibitors. It is used in addition to levodopa to treat patients during off periods. It should not be given to patients with severe liver disease. |
| Selegiline | Selegiline is a drug that belongs to the group called selective, irreversible Monoamine Oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors. It prevents the breakdown of dopamine in the synaptic cleft, thereby prolonging and enhancing its effect. It is used alone for mild symptoms or combined with Levodopa to reduce “off” time. |
| Tolcapone | Tolcapone is a drug that belongs to the group called catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors. It blocks the breakdown of levodopa and therefore increases its levels. It is primarily used as an adjunct to eliminate the “wearing-off” effect in patients on Levodopa. Tolcapone requires strict liver enzyme monitoring due to a risk of severe liver damage. |
| Trihexyphenidyl | Trihexyphenydyl is a drug similar to benztropine and belongs to group called central anticholinergic drugs. It is used as treatment of early Parkinson’s disease or in addition to levadopa. Elderly patients may suffer from adverse events such as confusion, memory impairment, dry mouth, urinary retention, and blurred vision. |
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