Since the cause of Parkinson’s disease is still not fully understood, the current treatments for Parkinson’s disease are allopathic and can only relieve symptoms, not cure them. Thus, rational use of medication and self-regulation of medication is the most effective treatment for the majority of patients.
Parkinson’s disease medications are divided into two main categories: transmitters and agonists.
The pharmacology of the transmitter class is simply to replenish dopamine in the brain;
Agonists mainly help the receptors to be more sensitive to dopamine;
There are six types of drugs in common use.
The transmitter class of drugs commonly used Medobar and Benadryl;
Medobar, i.e. levodopa and benserazide compound tablets, is the most widely used compound levodopa preparation in clinical practice; levodopa has been used to treat Parkinson’s disease for more than 30 years and is still the most effective drug for Parkinson’s disease: after levodopa treatment, 70% to 100% of symptoms continue to improve and can last for more than 5 years effectively; levodopa can not only improve motor retardation and relieve It not only improves motor slowing and relieves major symptoms, but also prolongs the life span of Parkinson’s disease patients. Medobar is significantly more effective than levodopa alone and has significantly fewer side effects;
Xanax, a controlled-release tablet of carbidopa and levodopa in a polymer matrix; carbidopa inhibits the decarboxylation of levodopa, with the aim of allowing more levodopa to be transported to the brain and converted into dopamine, avoiding the side effects of frequent high-dose administration of levodopa: the low-dose reduction helps eliminate side effects in the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular systems, especially those related to peripheral formation of dopamine.
Medobar, fast-acting, is usually taken during the day; Xanax, an extended-release agent, is suitable for evening administration.
Agonist drugs commonly used are amantadine, Tamsulosin, Cordain, and Senfuro.
Amantadine, after entering the brain tissue can promote the release of dopamine, or delay the metabolism of dopamine and play the role of anti-tremor paralysis, has a significant effect on tremor paralysis, to relieve tremor, rigidity is also more effective; cheap, side effects are obvious;
Tysudar, which stimulates the nigrostriatal postsynaptic receptors and midbrain cortex of the brain, provides effective dopamine; it is commonly used to treat patients with tremor as the main symptom. The main features of Tysudar are its long-lasting effect and low side effects;
Clinical trials have shown that levodopa with this product can prolong the “on” time by 16% and shorten the “off” time by 24%. When using levodopa, care should be taken to adjust the levodopa dose during the first few days to weeks of treatment: reduce the daily dose of levodopa by 10-30% by extending the dosing interval and/or reducing the amount of levodopa per dose. If treatment with this product is interrupted, the dose of other anti-Parkinson’s disease therapeutic agents, especially levodopa, must be adjusted to levels sufficient to control Parkinson’s disease symptoms;
Senflor, a new generation dopamine receptor agonist, avoids neurological damage caused by long-term levodopa use, delays the need for levodopa treatment, and reduces the dose of levodopa; it also reduces movement-related symptoms such as tremor; it is started with a titration similar to that of Cordain.
Amantadine, Tamsulosin, Cortane and Senflor are all used in combination with levodopa in the middle and late stages of Parkinson’s disease, mainly to increase the efficacy of the drug and reduce the dose; Cortane and Senflor are more suitable for the “switch” symptoms in the middle and late stages of Parkinson’s disease (the switch phenomenon refers to the sudden remission (open phase) and intensification (closed phase) of the patient’s symptoms during the day). It may be repeatedly and rapidly alternated several times), and is administered by titration.
The above is only an attempt to briefly and clearly introduce the mechanism and efficacy of drugs commonly used in Parkinson’s disease, the detailed treatment plan and method of administration, patients must follow medical advice.
Transmitter drugs.
Medroba
Effects: Improves motor slowing and relieves major symptoms; significantly more effective than levodopa alone, with significantly fewer side effects;
Dosage: daily;
Caution: Avoid taking with high protein foods;
Side effects: Hyperkinesia, nausea, hallucinations, disappears after stopping the drug
Xanax
Effects: Sustained release agent, reduces levodopa side effects;
Dosage: take at night;
Note: Do not chew or crush the tablets;
Side effects: Hyperkinetic disorder, nausea, hallucinations, disappears after discontinuation
Agonist drugs
Amantadine
Effects: After entering the brain tissue, it can promote the release of dopamine, or delay the metabolism of dopamine and exert anti-tremor paralysis effect, which has obvious efficacy on tremor paralysis and relieves tremor and rigidity;
Note: Pregnancy category C. Activities requiring mental concentration such as driving and working at heights should be avoided;
Side effects: hallucinations; mental confusion;
Tysudar
Effects: Stimulates D2 receptors in the nigrostriatal postsynaptic brain and D2 and D3 receptors in the midbrain cortex, limbic pathway of the midbrain, providing an effective dopamine effect;
Dosage: The dose should be gradually increased;
Note: Extended-release tablets once daily or once every 12 hours;
Side effects: Occasional gastrointestinal discomfort (indigestion, nausea);
Kotan
Effects: Prolongs the “on” time by 16% and shortens the “off” time by 24%;
Dosage: gradually increase the dosage and titrate to adjust;
Caution: Avoid taking with milk on an empty stomach;
Side effects: Often occur at the beginning of treatment;
Senfuro
Effects: A new generation dopamine agonist that prevents neurological damage caused by long-term levodopa use, delays the need for levodopa treatment, and reduces the dose of levodopa; it can also reduce tremor and other movement-related symptoms
Dosage: Gradually increase the dosage and titrate to adjust;
Caution: take on an empty stomach, avoid taking with milk;
Side effects: drowsiness, etc.