Currently the best way to increase dopamine in Parkinson’s patients is to use levodopa preparations, exogenously supplemented with levodopa, the precursor of dopamine, thereby increasing the patient’s dopamine levels. However, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors or dopamine agonists are preferred in the early stages of the disease in young patients.
1. Levodopa preparations: representative drugs such as dobasic acid tablets. Levodopa supplements the precursor of dopamine biosynthesis (levodopa), which is decarboxylated by dopa decarboxylase in the brain and converted into dopamine, thus increasing the dopamine level. Levodopa is currently the most effective drug. It is advisable to start with a small dose and gradually increase the dosage.
2. Monoamine oxidase B inhibitors: representative drugs are Silegiline, Rasagiline and so on. By reducing the degradation of dopamine, relatively increase the dopamine content and achieve the therapeutic purpose. It can be used as a single agent to treat new-onset, young patients with Parkinson’s disease, or as an adjunct to compound levodopa in the treatment of middle- to late-stage patients. It may have a neuroprotective effect, so early use is recommended in principle.
3. Dopamine agonists: representative drug pramipexole and so on. It activates dopamine receptors and increases dopamine secretion in the body. It is preferred with monoamine oxidase B inhibitors for young patients at the beginning of the disease.
4. Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors: representative drug entacapone, etc.. Decrease the metabolism of levodopa in the periphery, thus increasing the amount of levodopa in the brain.
In addition to increasing dopamine, there are many other treatment modalities and medications for Parkinson’s patients, and it is recommended that individualized treatment plans be formulated by professional doctors according to the individual’s condition.