Medications for Parkinson's Disease
Medications Approved for theTreatment of Parkinson’s Disease in the USA- November 2008
| Generic Name | Trade Name | Mode of Action | Most Common Side Effects* |
| Carbidopa-levodopa | Sinemet | DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor/DA precursor |
Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, anxiety, dyskinesia, confusion, hallucinations |
| Carbidopa-levodopa (controlled release) |
Sinemet CR | DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor/DA precursor | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, anxiety, dyskinesia, confusion, hallucinations |
| Carbidopa-levodopa (orally disintegrating tablet) |
Parcopa | DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor/DA precursor | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, anxiety, dyskinesia, confusion, hallucinations |
| Carbidopa- levodopa- entatacapone |
Stalevo | DOPA decarbarboylase inhibitor/DA precursor/COMT inhibitor | Darkened saliva and/or body fluids, diarrhea, fatigue, dizziness, abdominal pain, dyskinesia, pain, constipation, hallucinations |
| Bromocriptine | Parlodel | DA agonist | Nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, swelling of ankles, dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion, somnolence, sleep attacks |
| Pramipexole | Mirapex | DA agonist | Nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, swelling of ankles, dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion, somnolence, sleep attacks, compulsive behavior |
| Ropinirole | Requip | DA agonist | Nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, swelling of ankles, dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion, somnolence, sleep attacks |
| Ropinirole (extended release tablets) |
Requip XL | DA agonist | Nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, swelling of ankles, dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion, somnolence, sleep attacks |
| Apomorphine | Apokyn | DA agonist | Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure, sedation, yawning, hallucinations, dyskinesia, runny nose, swelling of extremities, injection site reactions |
Rotigotine (transdermal patch) - |
Neupro | DA agonist | Skin reactions at the patch site, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, insomnia, sleep attacks, hallucinations, low blood pressure |
| Selegiline | Eldepryl | MAO-B inhibitor; inhibits dopamine metabolism |
Insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion |
| Selegiline
(orally
disintegrating tablet) |
Zelapar | MAO-B inhibitor;
inhibits dopamine
metabolism |
Dizziness, nausea, pain, headache, insomnia, runny nose, dyskinesia |
| Rasagiline | Azilect | MAO-B inhibitor; inhibits dopamine metabolism | Gastrointestinal upset, headache, dyskinesia |
| Tolcapone | Tasmar | COMT inhibitor; decreases levodopa
metabolism |
Dyskinesia, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, hallucinations, urine discoloration, elevated liver function enzymes |
| Entacapone | Comtan | COMT inhibitor; decreases levodopa metabolism | Same as Tasmar except it does not commonly elevate liver function enzymes |
| Amantadine | Symmetrel | DA re-uptake inhibitor;
stimulates DA receptors; anticholinergic;
NMDA antagonist |
Hallucinations, leg swelling, dizziness, mottled leg skin (livedo reticularis), insomnia, confusion, dry mouth and eyes, constipation |
Trihexyphenidyl |
Artane | Anticholinergic | Dry mouth & eyes, constipation, urinary retention, memory impairment, confusion, depression, hallucinations |
| Benztropine | Cogentin | Anticholinergic | Same as Artane |
COMT = Cathechol-o-methyltransferase
DA = Dopamine
DOPA = Levodopa
MAO = Mono amino oxidase
NMDA = N-methyl-D-aspartate
* The most common side effects are listed. Additional side effects, if any, should be discussed with your health care provider.
Important Note: This material is intended to provide the reader with information. It should not be used for treatment purposes, but rather as a source for discussion with the patient's own physician.
This document was updated in November 2008 by American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. The publication of this educational material was made possible by a non-restricted grant from Teva Neuroscience.
