Medical Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) is the most effective medication in terms of improving the motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. However due to the frequent, and sometimes serious side effects of this drug, neurologists prefer trying other medications first. Unfortunately, the medications available [bromocriptine (Parlodel), pergolide (Permax), pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip)] are not as good as levodopa/carbidopa in the control of the motor symptoms and also have some side effects that limit their use.

Selegiline (Eldepryl, Deprenyl) a medication that does not have any major effects on the motor symptoms, might be the only medication with some protective effect of the nerve cells, but this is not yet well proven. The other medications are only used to treat the symptoms.

Other medications that can be useful are amantadine (Symmetrel), ethopropazine (Parsidol), trihexyphenidyl (Artane), benztropine (Cogentin), entacapone (Comtan), and tolcapone (Tasmar).