Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that affects movement, muscle control, and balance. It is a progressive disease that gets worse over time and can result in difficulty walking, speaking, and performing daily tasks.

While there is no cure for Parkinson’s, there are several medications available that can help manage the symptoms.

Top 30 Parkinson’s Medicines

1. Levodopa (L-dopa)

Levodopa is the most effective medication for treating Parkinson’s disease. It works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter that is affected by Parkinson’s.

L-dopa helps reduce the symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. It is usually taken in combination with carbidopa, which helps prevent the breakdown of L-dopa before it enters the brain.

2. Carbidopa

Carbidopa is often prescribed along with L-dopa to enhance the effectiveness of the medication. It works by preventing the breakdown of L-dopa in the bloodstream, allowing more of the medication to enter the brain where it is needed.

3. Pramipexole (Mirapex)

Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist that works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain. It helps reduce the symptoms of tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. Pramipexole can be taken alone or in combination with other Parkinson’s medications.

4. Ropinirole (Requip)

Ropinirole is another dopamine agonist that works similarly to pramipexole. It helps reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and can be taken alone or in combination with other medications.

5. Rotigotine (Neupro)

Rotigotine is a dopamine agonist that is administered through a skin patch. It helps reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and is usually prescribed to patients who have difficulty swallowing or who experience side effects from oral medications.

6. Apomorphine (Apokyn)

Apomorphine is a dopamine agonist that is administered by injection. It is used to treat “off” episodes in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease who have difficulty controlling their motor symptoms with oral medications.

7. Amantadine (Symmetrel)

Amantadine is an antiviral medication that has been shown to help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

It works by increasing the levels of dopamine in the brain and reducing the activity of a certain type of nerve cell that is involved in the development of Parkinson’s.

8. Entacapone (Comtan)

Entacapone is a medication that is taken in combination with L-dopa and carbidopa. It works by preventing the breakdown of L-dopa in the bloodstream, allowing more of the medication to enter the brain.

This helps increase the effectiveness of L-dopa and reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

9. Stalevo

Stalevo is another medication that is taken in combination with L-dopa and carbidopa. It contains both entacapone and L-dopa/carbidopa in a single tablet, making it easier for patients to take their medications.

10. Selegiline (Eldepryl)

Selegiline is a medication that works by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. It can be taken alone or in combination with other Parkinson’s medications to help reduce the symptoms of the disease.

11. Rasagiline (Azilect)

Rasagiline is another medication that works by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. It is usually taken alone and can help reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

12. Benztropine (Cogentin)

Benztropine is an anticholinergic medication that is used to reduce the symptoms of tremors and stiffness in Parkinson’s disease.

It works by blocking the activity of a certain type of nerve cell that is involved in the development of Parkinson’s.

13. Trihexyphenidyl (Artane)

Trihexyphenidyl is another anticholinergic medication that is used to reduce the symptoms of tremors and stiffness in Parkinson’s disease. It works similarly to benztropine.

14. Levodopa and Carbidopa CR (Sinemet CR)

Levodopa and Carbidopa CR is a combination medication that is formulated to release the medication slowly over a longer period of time. This helps provide more consistent relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s throughout the day.

15. Levodopa and Carbidopa ODT (Parcopa)

Levodopa and Carbidopa ODT is a medication that dissolves quickly in the mouth. It is often prescribed for patients who have difficulty swallowing tablets or who need more rapid relief from their symptoms.

16. Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone (Stalevo 100/25/200)

Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone is a combination medication that contains all three medications in one tablet.

It is usually prescribed for patients who have difficulty managing their medications or who need more consistent relief from their symptoms.

17. Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone (Stalevo 50/12.5/200)

Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone is also available in a lower-dose formulation for patients who require less medication.

18. Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone (Stalevo 75/18.75/200)

Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone is also available in a mid-dose formulation for patients who require more medication than the low-dose formulation but less than the high-dose formulation.

19. Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone (Stalevo 125/31.25/200)

Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone is also available in a higher-dose formulation for patients who require more medication.

20. Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone (Stalevo 150/37.5/200)

Levodopa, Carbidopa, and Entacapone is also available in an extra-high-dose formulation for patients who require the most medication.

21. Duopa

Duopa is a medication that is administered through a tube directly into the small intestine. It contains a gel formulation of L-dopa and carbidopa, which is slowly released over a 16-hour period.

This helps provide more consistent relief from the symptoms of Parkinson’s throughout the day.

22. Gocovri

Gocovri is a medication that is used to reduce the dyskinesia (involuntary movements) that can result from long-term use of L-dopa. It works by regulating the levels of glutamate, which is a neurotransmitter that can contribute to dyskinesia.

23. Inbrija

Inbrija is a medication that is inhaled through a dry-powder inhaler. It contains L-dopa, which is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lungs.

Inbrija is used to provide more rapid relief from “off” episodes in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

24. Osmolex ER

Osmolex ER is a medication that is used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

It contains a slow-release formulation of amantadine, which helps increase the levels of dopamine in the brain and reduce the activity of the nerve cells that contribute to Parkinson’s.

25. Safinamide (Xadago)

Safinamide is a medication that works by inhibiting the breakdown of dopamine in the brain. It is used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s and can be taken alone or in combination with other Parkinson’s medications.

26. Opicapone (Ongentys)

Opicapone is a medication that is taken in combination with L-dopa and carbidopa. It works by preventing the breakdown of L-dopa in the bloodstream, allowing more of the medication to enter the brain.

This helps increase the effectiveness of L-dopa and reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

27. Tolcapone (Tasmar)

Tolcapone is a medication that is taken in combination with L-dopa and carbidopa. It works by preventing the breakdown of L-dopa in both the bloodstream and the brain, allowing more of the medication to enter the brain.

This helps increase the effectiveness of L-dopa and reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

28. Azezetronam (Cayston)

Azezetronam is a medication that is used to reduce the risk of bacterial infection in patients with Parkinson’s disease who have a feeding tube inserted into their small intestine (duodenum).

The medication is administered directly into the small intestine through the feeding tube.

29. Bardoxolone methyl (Omaveloxolone)

Bardoxolone methyl is a medication that is currently being investigated for its potential to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

It is still in the experimental stage and is not yet available for clinical use.

30. Gene therapy

Gene therapy is a promising new approach to treating Parkinson’s disease that involves the use of viruses to deliver therapeutic genes to the brain.

The therapy is still in the experimental stage, but early clinical trials have shown promise in reducing the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

Conclusion

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating condition that affects millions of people around the world. While there is no cure for the disease, there are several medications available that can help manage the symptoms and improve quality of life.

It is important for patients to work closely with their healthcare providers to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences.