The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi Knapp Parkinson’s disease cannot be eliminated completely but its symptoms can be reduced, damages can be repaired and its progression can be delayed considerably by using various simple and natural things. In this eBook, a natural program to treat Parkinson’s disease is provided online. it includes 12 easy steps to repair your body and reduce the symptoms of this disease. The creator of this program has divided into four segments to cover a complete plan to treat this disease along with improving your health and life by knowing everything about this health problem. The main focus of this program is on boosting the levels of hormone in your brain by making e a few easy changes in your lifestyle, diet, and thoughts
What medications are commonly prescribed for Parkinson’s disease?
In Australia, a number of drugs are commonly prescribed to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly the motor symptoms including tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slowness), and postural instability. The drugs are intended to increase the levels of dopamine, mimic the action of dopamine, or reverse other chemical imbalances in the brain. The following is a list of most commonly prescribed drugs:
1. Levodopa/Carbidopa (e.g., Sinemet, Kinson)
Levodopa is the best drug for Parkinson’s motor symptoms.
It is converted to dopamine within the brain.
Carbidopa prevents the destruction of levodopa before it enters the brain.
Initial therapy for the majority of patients, especially in early PD.
Motor fluctuations (e.g., “wearing-off” effects and dyskinesias) can eventually occur with time.
2. Dopamine Agonists (e.g., Pramipexole, Ropinirole, Rotigotine)
They are dopaminergic mimics in the brain and activate dopamine receptors.
Often used in younger patients or added to levodopa to reduce the dosage of levodopa required.
May manage early-stage symptoms and theoretically postpone levodopa need.
Side effects may be sleepiness, nausea, dizziness, or impulse control disorders (e.g., hypersexuality or gambling).
3. MAO-B Inhibitors (e.g., Selegiline, Rasagiline)
Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors inhibit the degradation of dopamine.
May be employed as initial-line therapy or as an adjunct to levodopa in early stages.
Can be used to maximize levodopa effects and delay motor fluctuations.
Side effects are generally mild but can include headaches, nausea, or insomnia.
4. COMT Inhibitors (e.g., Entacapone, Tolcapone)
Inhibit the COMT enzyme that inactivates levodopa.
Used together with levodopa to extend its effect and manage “wearing-off” symptoms.
Tolcapone is effective but less commonly used due to liver toxicity. Entacapone is more commonly prescribed.
Side effects are diarrhoea, nausea, and occasionally liver disturbance (particularly with tolcapone).
5. Amantadine
Initially developed as an antiviral drug, amantadine also has a small degree of anti-Parkinsonian activity.
Influences motor symptoms and is often used to treat levodopa-induced dyskinesia.
Can be useful in early illness or added to treatment.
Side effects may be swelling, confusion, and hallucinations in some.
6. Anticholinergic Medications (e.g., Trihexyphenidyl, Benztropine)
Anticholinergics are used to help control tremor and rigidity.
Less commonly used because of side effects (e.g., dry mouth, constipation, confusion) and because more effective medications are available.
Typically reserved for patients with mild tremor or for patients intolerant of other drugs.
7. Gastrointestinal (GI) Motility Medications (e.g., Domperidone)
They are used to treat nausea or gastrointestinual side effects caused by drugs in Parkinson’s.
Domperidone is a dopamine antagonist that typically employed to manage nausea without influencing the unwanted effect of dopamine repression within the brain.
8. CGRP Inhibitors (e.g., Apomorphine)
Apomorphine is a subcutaneous injection or infusion formulation for the dopamine agonist.
Used as rescue therapy for sufferers with advanced PD experiencing “off” periods.
Can be very effective in providing rapid relief of motor symptoms but can cause nausea and drowsiness.
Other Treatments
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): A surgical option for those with advanced PD who are not responding well to medications.
Medications for Non-Motor Symptoms: Other therapies can be used to help treat non-motor symptoms such as depression, sleep disturbance, and constipation.
Conclusion
Parkinson’s disease medication in Australia works well in managing symptoms, especially in early to moderate Parkinson’s. But once the disease progresses, alterations are typically needed, and combination therapy is typically utilized. Closely working with a neurologist to tailor treatment and minimize side effects is essential.
Would you prefer additional information about any specific drug or treatment regimen?
Amantadine is a medication that is sometimes prescribed to alleviate Parkinson’s disease (PD), particularly for symptom control and improving quality of life. How it works and how it benefits Parkinson’s patients is provided below:
How Amantadine Works in Parkinson’s Disease:
Enhancement of Dopamine Release:
Amantadine enhances the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter lacking in Parkinson’s disease, which causes the characteristic signs like tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement).
By facilitating the release of dopamine from surviving neurons, amantadine can enhance motor function.
NMDA Receptor Antagonism
Amantadine also blocks NMDA (N-Methyl-D-Aspartate) receptors in the brain. They are related to glutamate activity, and overactivity of glutamate can cause hyperactivity of brain cells, which can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms.
By blocking such receptors, amantadine can reduce erratic brain activity causing movement difficulties.
Reduction of Dyskinesia
One of the key benefits of amantadine in Parkinson’s is its ability to reduce dyskinesia — unwanted, random movements normally induced by long-term use of levodopa. This makes it a valuable drug in patients on levodopa but with troublesome side effects.
Facilitation of Motor Symptoms
Amantadine is typically used as an adjunct to treat motor symptoms like tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. It might be less potent than levodopa but may synergize with other medication by facilitating movement control.
Other Benefits:
Cognitive and Mood Effects: Improvements in mood and cognition are sometimes reported by patients with amantadine, but these are less compared to other medications.
Fatigue Relief: Some Parkinson’s disease sufferers experience tiredness, and amantadine alleviates it, although not as a first-line treatment for fatigue.
Amantadine Side Effects:
While amantadine works, it also has some potential side effects, which are:
Livedo Reticularis: Mottling of the skin that is purplish in color, and it can happen, especially with extended therapy.
Dizziness and Confusion: More pronounced in older adults or patients with cognitive impairment.
Swelling (Edema): Especially in legs and ankles.
Hallucinations: In some patients, more frequently at higher doses or on other medications.
Nausea and Vomiting: They may occur, particularly when taking the drug for the first time.
Role in Treatment Plans:
Amantadine is usually prescribed as secondary treatment when other Parkinson’s medications (like levodopa) are not working well enough or cause serious side effects. It’s especially helpful in:
Preventing or reducing dyskinesia in patients on long-term therapy with levodopa.
Augmentation of other drugs to enhance the control of motor symptoms.
Treatment of early Parkinson’s or in conjunction with other disease-altering therapy.
Would you like to find out more about amantadine use along with other therapies for Parkinson’s in Australia?
The Parkinson’s Protocol™ By Jodi Knapp Parkinson’s disease cannot be eliminated completely but its symptoms can be reduced, damages can be repaired and its progression can be delayed considerably by using various simple and natural things. In this eBook, a natural program to treat Parkinson’s disease is provided online. it includes 12 easy steps to repair your body and reduce the symptoms of this disease. The creator of this program has divided into four segments to cover a complete plan to treat this disease along with improving your health and life by knowing everything about this health problem. The main focus of this program is on boosting the levels of hormone in your brain by making e a few easy changes in your lifestyle, diet, and thoughts