What Is the Best Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease?

What Is the Best Medicine for Parkinson’s Disease?
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When someone is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD), one of the first questions often asked is:  What is the best medicine for Parkinson’s disease? The answer isn’t always simple, because Parkinson’s affects everyone differently — and treatment needs to be personalized.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease Medications
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition that primarily affects movement. The most common symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slowness of movement, and balance issues. These symptoms are caused by a loss of dopamine in the brain — and most medications for Parkinson’s work to either replace or mimic dopamine to improve motor function.

Common Medications for Parkinson’s Disease:

1. Levodopa/Carbidopa (Sinemet)
   Often considered the gold standard for treating PD symptoms, Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps ensure more Levodopa reaches the brain with fewer side effects.
2. Dopamine Agonists
   These mimic dopamine and can be used alone or with Levodopa. Examples include pramipexole (Mirapex) and ropinirole (Requip).
3. MAO-B Inhibitors
   These block the enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain, helping dopamine last longer. Common options include selegiline and rasagiline.
4. COMT Inhibitors
   These prolong the effect of Levodopa by blocking an enzyme that breaks it down. Entacapone is a commonly used COMT inhibitor.
5. Amantadine and Anticholinergics
   These can help with specific symptoms like tremors and dyskinesias (involuntary movements), though they are not suitable for everyone.

So, What’s the “Best” Medicine? The best medicine depends on:

• Your age and overall health
• The severity and type of symptoms
• How your body responds to specific drugs
• Side effects and lifestyle considerations

A personalized treatment plan created by your neurologist or movement disorder specialist is key to finding what works best for you.

Living Well with Parkinson’s: More Than Just Medicine
Medication is just one part of managing Parkinson’s disease. Equally important are support, education, exercise, and community connection. That’s where the Parkinson’s Association of Southwest Florida (PASWFL) comes in.

How PASWFL Can Help You Live Well with Parkinson’s
For more than 25 years, PASWFL has provided free programs, education, and support to individuals and families affected by Parkinson’s disease throughout Southwest Florida. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with PD for years, they offer resources that empower you to live your best life.
Here’s how they can help:

• Over 25 free weekly wellness classes and support groups
• Expert-led educational resources
• Programs for care partners
• No cost to become a member

You don’t have to walk this path alone.
👉 Visit www.parkinsonassociationswfl.org to learn more.
📩 Sign up for their newsletter: Click here
📝 Become a free member today: Click here 

Together, we can manage Parkinson’s — and live well doing it.