06 Jul Which Medications Are Available For Parkinson’s Disease Patients?
With more than 10 million people worldwide living with Parkinson’s disease, doctors are treating patients with carbidopa/levodopa since the 1960s to help them manage their motor symptoms. This medication, although very effective and successfully used since six decades, isn’t able to address all the facets of the disease. This is why scientists have been trying to come up with other alternatives, making it an exciting time for Parkinson’s disease drug advances. The new medications that are available today are designed to tackle various Parkinson’s disease challenges such as hallucinations, delusions, low blood pressure, abnormal or involuntary muscle movement, off times, excessive drooling, wearing off, and motor fluctuation.
Hallucinations and delusions
Scientifically known as Parkinson’s disease psychosis, the symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, confusion, and insomnia. Pimavanserin (Nuplazid®) is a newly approved drug that can help treat the symptoms of hallucinations, delusions, and insomnia, but it doesn’t solve the issue of confusion. And, just like any other medication, this medication too has its side-effects, including nausea and constipation.
Low blood pressure
Orthostatic Hypotension is another symptom seen in Parkinson’s disease patients, which drops the blood pressure when rising or standing. 20 to 50% of Parkinson’s disease patients experience this problem. Droxidopa (NORTHERA®) is a medication that can treat the lighteheadedness or fainting involved with this issue. However, the side effects of this medication include headache, nausea, and fatigue.
Abnormal involuntary muscle movement
Dyskinesia, which is the abnormal and involuntary movement of muscles in Parkinson’s disease patients, can be treated with the help of Amantadine ER capsules (GOCOVRI®). The medications helps control dyskinesia upon awakening from sleep during the morning, and throughout the day. The side effects include hallucinations and lightheadedness.
“Off” times
Duopa™ therapy is a new version of the carbidopa/levodopa treatment that helps patients who experience three or more “off” hours every day. The therapy involves a surgery that places a tube in the intestine, which is later connected to a pump that delivers Duopa in gel form.
Safinamide (XADAGO®) is an add-on treatment for patients experiencing “off” times, which can help reduce the problem by up to 1 hour a day.
Levodopa Inhalation (INBRIJA™) is another add-on drug for “off” times, which is administered via an inhaler, improving symptoms as soon as 10 minutes, and lasting up to 60 minutes.
Excessive drooling
Another issue faces by some patients is excessive drooling, which causes skin breakdown around the mouth, choking, and odour. This condition can be managed with the help of IncobotulinumtoxinA (XEOMIN) injections twice on the face, every 3-4 months.
Wearing off
People with Parkinson’s disease can wear off too soon. A dose of Sublingual Apomorphine, dissolved under the tongue, can relieve the tiredness in 15 minutes, which can last up to 90 minutes. However, the medication may also cause dizziness, sleepiness, or nausea.
Motor fluctuation
Subcutaneous Apomorphine Infusion is a Europe-approved treatment that offers a less invasive motor fluctuation treatment, which requires a small delivery tube to be placed under the skin, and connected to an apomorphine-filled pumping device. This therapy can reduce everyday “off” times and dyskinesia.
Istradefylline is another drug that has been approved in Japan and USA to treat motor symptom fluctuations.
Even after all the above inventions, new tests and trials are yet being executed for better results to reduce “off” times and motor symptom fluctuations. And, as you can see, not every medication invented yet is an absolute treatment for Parkinson’s disease. One medication solves one issue, while giving rise to another. This is why it is important that you always consult a professional specialist for treating your condition. Dr. Shivam Mittal is one such expert who has been successfully offering the most effective Parkinson’s disease treatment in UAE with all kinds of medications, injections, therapies, and surgeries, depending upon every individual patient’s condition.
