According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, six categories of medications are used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Each class contains various options, including those that have been on the market long enough to be sold as generic drugs.
Levodopa
Because of its side effects, the drug levodopa, which is converted into dopamine in the body, is combined with carbidopa. Available levodopa/carbidopa combinations include Parcopa and Sinemet, according to MedlinePlus, a medical information resource established by the U.S. National Library of Medicine,
Dopamine Agonists
Bromocriptine, marketed as Parlodel, pramipexole, branded as Mirapex, and ropinrole, sold as Requip, are all varieties of dopamine agonist that are sold as tablets and used daily to treat Parkinson’s disease. Apomorphine, or Apokyn, is an injectable medication that provides 30 to 60 minutes of benefit and is used to supplement other Parkinson’s medications, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
Catechol-Ortho-Methyl Transferase Inhibitors
According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, COMT inhibitors are the newest class of Parkinson’s medications. They act to stop the breakdown of levodopa, which increases the amount that reaches the brain and its time of activity. The drugs are sold as Stavelo, which combines a COMT inhibitor with levodopa and carbidopa, and also individually as Comtan and Tasmar.
MonoAmine Oxidase B Inhibitors
In a similar manner to COMT inhibitors, MAO-B inhibitors block an enzyme in the brain that breaks down dopamine. This boosts dopamine levels, according to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This group includes selegiline, marketed as Eldepryl, Carbex and Zelapar, as well as rasagiline, sold as Azilect.
Anticholinergics
These drugs are used for mild cases of Parkinson’s disease, and act to balance out the dopamine deficiency that causes the disorder. Brand name anticholinergics include Cogentin and Artane, according to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation.
Amantadine
Marketed as Symmetrel, amantadine is an antiviral drug that is often used in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, but can also be combined with levodopa or anticholinergic drugs. According to the National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, its mechanism of action is unknown.
