According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Parkinson's Disease is classified with a group of health conditions referred to as motor system disorders. It causes a loss of brain cells responsible for producing dopamine, resulting in symptoms such as rigidity, trembling of the hands, legs, arms and face and slow movement. While no cure currently exists, a variety of medications are available to help relieve the symptoms accompanying this disease.
Sinemet, Levodopa
Sinemet is typically the first drug used to treat Parkinson's disease and was the first major breakthrough in the treatment of this condition, according to parkinson.org. Sinemet works by increasing the production of dopamine, a chemical the brain lacks in patients diagnosed with Parkinson's. The increased production of this chemical helps improve movement in those who suffer from this disease.
The symptoms sinemet has the greatest effect on include body stiffness, slow movement, reduced facial expressions, trembling, walking and handwriting that is small, cramped and difficult to read.
The most common side effects associated with sinemet, according to eMedTV.com, include nausea, low blood pressure, restlessness, vomiting and involuntary body movements. In some cases, confusion might also occur. Nausea and vomiting might be reduced if you take sinemet in combination with lodosyn, or Carbidopa, another drug used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Apomorphine, Apokyn
Apomorphine is a type of Parkinson's drug known as a dopamine agonist. Along with sinemet, apomorphine is among the medications chosen first for the treatment of this disease. While sinemet is converted by the brain into dopamine, apomorphine works directly on the dopamine receptors in the brain to which dopamine binds, thus relieving the symptoms of Parkinson's differently, yet effectively.
The oldest of the dopamine agonists, apomorphine cannot be administered safely orally, however its onset and effect are rapid when given as an injection or via a nasal spray. Its most common side effects include yawning, drowsiness, involuntary body movements, nausea and vomiting.
Benzotropine, Cogentin
An anticholinergic, benzotropine is among a class of drugs considered to be a second and third line of treatment for Parkinson's disease. These drugs are almost always used in conjunction with sinemet and apomorphine for what is known as adjunctive therapy. According to parkinson.org, anticholinergics are among the oldest class of Parkinson's disease drugs, first used in the 1940s before sinemet became available.
The most common side effects associated with benzotropine include constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea, confusion, difficulty urinating and problems with memory.
Rasagiline, Azilect
Belonging to a class of drugs known as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, rasagiline works by blocking the monoamine oxidase enzyme, which is responsible for the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. This slows both the breakdown of naturally produced dopamine as well as dopamine that has been formed by sinemet. Rasagiline, just like benzotropine, is considered a second or third line of treatment and is generally used in conjunction with medications such as sinemet or apomorphine.
Its most common side effects include headaches, indigestion, joint pain, depression and heartburn.
