Side Effects of Parkinson’s Disease Treatment

Shared from myparkinsonsteam.com.

Treatments for Parkinson’s disease aim to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. However, it’s important to be aware that a medication or procedure can have its own set of side effects or lead to other complications. By working closely with your healthcare provider, you can weigh a therapy’s health benefits and unwanted effects to find the best treatment plan for you or your loved one with Parkinson’s.

Dopaminergic Medications and Their Side Effects

The most commonly prescribed drugs used to treat Parkinson’s disease are dopaminergic medications. These drugs work by influencing levels of the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) dopamine. Parkinson’s disease symptoms are caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain.

Dopaminergic medications include:

• Levodopa/carbidopa (Crexont, Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet)
• Levodopa (Inbrija)
• Levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (Stalevo)
• Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors such as entacapone (Comtan), opicapone (Ongentys), and tolcapone (Tasmar; rarely used because it can harm the liver)
• Dopamine agonists such as apomorphine (Apokyn), pramipexole dihydrochloride, rotigotine (Neupro), and ropinirole
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors such as rasagiline (Azilect), safinamide (Xadago), and selegiline (Eldepryl, Zelapar)

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