Other drugs used for Parkinson's disease
Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors
These drugs are another alternative to levodopa for early Parkinson's disease. They include selegiline and rasagiline. These drugs work by blocking (inhibiting) the effect of a chemical in the brain called monoamine oxidase-B. This chemical is involved in the breakdown of levodopa and dopamine. If the action of monoamine oxidase-B is inhibited then the effect of any dopamine lasts longer. Most people will require levodopa eventually. However, if you take a monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor at first, it may delay the need for levodopa for months or years.
Other drugs used for Parkinson's disease
- Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors are relatively new drugs. They include tolcapone and entacapone. These help to stop the breakdown of levodopa by the body, so more of each dose of levodopa can get into the brain to work. A COMT inhibitor is sometimes advised in addition to levodopa when symptoms are not well controlled by levodopa alone.
- Other drugs are sometimes used to help relieve symptoms. They have various effects which try to correct the chemical imbalance in the brain. They include betablockers, amantadine, and 'anticholinergic' drugs. One of these may be tried when symptoms are mild. However, you are likely to need levodopa or a dopamine agonist at some point.
Various factors influence which drug is advised. For example, your age, severity of symptoms, how well your symptoms respond to treatment, if side-effects develop, other drugs that you may take, etc. Your specialist will advise on the best drug to take for your circumstance.
The dose of the drug that you start with usually needs to be increased over time. In time, combinations of drugs may be required for best control of symptoms. The treatment schemes and doses can vary greatly from person to person. As the disease progresses, the symptoms may not be so well controlled by drugs.
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