Treatments for Parkinson's Disease
Treatments for Parkinson's Disease
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Parkinson's Disease
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Parkinson's Disease: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Parkinson's Disease may include:
Hidden causes of Parkinson's Disease may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Parkinson's Disease: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Parkinson's Disease:
Parkinson's Disease: Research Doctors & Specialists
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Drugs and Medications used to treat Parkinson's Disease:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease include:
- Amantadine
- Antadine
- Symadine
- Symmetrel
- Benztropine
- Apo-Benztropine
- Bensylate
- Cogentin
- PMS Benztropin
- Bromocriptine
- Normatine
- Parlodel
- Diphenhydramine
- Acetaminophen-PM
- AID to Sleep
- Allerdryl
- Allergy Capsules
- Allergy Formula
- Allermax
- Ambenyl Expectorant
- Ambenyl Syrup
- Anacin P.M
- Aspirin-Free
- Banophen
- Bayer Select
- Beldin Syrup
- Bena-D
- Benadryl
- Benadryl 25
- Benahist
- Benylin
- Benylin Decongestant
- Benylin Pediatric Syrup
- Benylin Syrup w/Codeine
- Caladryl
- Caldyphen Lotion
- Children's Complete Allergy
- Complete Allergy Medication
- Compoz
- Dermarest
- Di-Delamine
- Dihydrex
- Diphendryl
- Diphenhist
- Dormarex 2
- Ergodryl
- Excedrin P.M
- Extra Strength Tylenol PM
- Gecil
- Genahist
- Gen-D-Phen
- Hydramine
- Insomnal
- Kolex
- Mandrax
- Maxiumum Strength Nytol
- Medi-Phedryl
- Midol-PM
- Nervine Nighttime Sleep
- Nidryl Elixir
- Nighttime Cold Medicine
- Nite-Time
- Noradryl
- Noradryl 25
- Nytol
- Pain Relief PM
- Pathadryl
- PMS-Diphenhydramine
- Sinutab Maxiumu Strength
- SK-Diphenhydramine
- Sleep
- Sleep-Eze D
- Sleep-Eze 3
- Sominex
- Sominex 2
- Theraflu Cold Medicine (Nighttime Strength
- Twilite
- Tylenol PM Extra STrength
- Unisom Sleepgels
- Valdrene
- Valu-Dryl Allergy Medicine
- Wal-Ben
- Wal-Dryl
- Wehydryl
- Levodopa
- Apo-Levocarb
- Bendopa
- Dopar
- Larodopa
- Prolopa
- Sinemet
- Sinemet CR
- Pergolide
- Drax-Pergolide
- Permax
- Pramipexole
- Mirapex
- Selegiline
- Apo-Selegiline
- Carbex
- Dom-Selegiline
- Eldepryl
- Med-Selegiline
- Novo-Selegiline
- PMS-Selegiline
- Tolcapone
- Tasmar
- Apomorphine
- Apokyn
- Benserazide and Levodopa
- Apo-Bromocriptine
- PMS-Bromocriptine
- Serocryptin
- Entacapone
- Comtan
- Levodopa, Carbidopa and Entacapone
- Stalevo
- Trihexyphenidyl
- Apo-Trihex
- Hipokinon
- Apormorphine Hydrochloride
- Apomine
- Benzhexol
- Artane
- Cabaser
Latest treatments for Parkinson's Disease:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Parkinson's Disease:
Hospital statistics for Parkinson's Disease:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Parkinson's Disease:
- 0.12% (14,828) of hospital episodes were for parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal and movement disorders in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 78% of hospital consultations for parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal and movement disorders required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 52% of hospital episodes for parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal and movement disorders were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 48% of hospital episodes for parkinsonism and other extrapyramidal and movement disorders were for women in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Parkinson's Disease
Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures
for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Parkinson's Disease:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »
Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Parkinson's Disease,
on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:
Medical news summaries about treatments for Parkinson's Disease:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Parkinson's Disease:
Discussion of treatments for Parkinson's Disease:
A
variety of medications provide dramatic relief from the symptoms, but no
drug can stop the progression of the disease. In some cases, surgery is an
appropriate treatment. Some doctors recommend physical therapy or
muscle-strengthening exercises.
(Source: excerpt from
NINDS Parkinson's Disease Information Page: NINDS)
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Tremor:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
- Parkinson's disease
–Anticholinergic medications (e.g., benztropine)
–Amantidine
–Levodopa-carbidopa
–Dopamine agonists (e.g., bromocriptine)
–Selegiline treats symptoms, but may also have a neuroprotective effect that slows disease progression
–Surgical intervention had been the used in the past
–Transplantation of fetal nigral cells into the putamen is
under investigation
-
Essential or familial tremor responds well to propranolol (10–80 mg BID), primidone, mysoline, or low-dose valium; however, treatment is only symptomatic
-
Thyrotoxicosis is treated by surgery or nuclear ablation, propranolol, and/or antithyroid medications (tapazole or propylthiouracil)
-
Drug and alcohol withdrawal is treated with detoxification
-
Wilson's disease is treated with chelation
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Emergency interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Because asterixis may signal serious metabolic deterioration, quickly evaluate the patient’s neurologic status and vital signs. Compare these data with baseline measurements, and watch carefully for acute changes. Continue to closely monitor his neurologic status, vital signs, and urine output.
Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency, and be prepared to provide endotracheal intubation and ventilatory support. Also, be alert for complications of end-stage hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease.
If the patient has hepatic disease, assess him for early indications of hemorrhage, including restlessness, tachypnea, and cool, moist, pale skin. (If the patient is jaundiced, check for pallor in the conjunctiva and mucous membranes of the mouth.)
It’s important to recognize that hypotension, oliguria, hematemesis, and melena are late signs of hemorrhage. Prepare to insert a large-bore I.V. line for fluid and blood replacement. Position the patient flat in bed with his legs elevated 20 degrees. Begin or continue to administer oxygen.
If the patient has renal disease, briefly review the therapy he has received. If he’s on dialysis, ask about the frequency of treatments to help gauge the severity of disease. Question a family member if the patient’s LOC is significantly decreased.
Then assess the patient for hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Look for tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, and Kussmaul’s respirations. Prepare to administer sodium bicarbonate, calcium gluconate, dextrose, insulin, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
If the patient has pulmonary disease, check for labored respirations, tachypnea, accessory muscle use, and cyanosis, which are critical signs. Prepare to provide ventilatory support via nasal cannula, mask, or intubation and mechanical ventilation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Parkinson's disease:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Because Parkinson’s disease has no cure, the primary aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and keep the patient functional as long as possible. Treatment consists of drugs, physical therapy and, in severe disease states unresponsive to drugs, stereotactic neurosurgery or the controversial treatment called fetal cell transplantation. In this treatment, fetal brain tissue is injected into the patient’s brain. If the injected cells grow within the recipient’s brain, they will allow the brain to process dopamine, thereby either halting or reversing disease progression. Neurotransplantation techniques, including the use of nerve cells from other parts of the patient’s body, have been attempted with varying results.
Drug therapy usually includes levodopa, a dopamine replacement that’s most effective during early stages. It’s given in increasing doses until symptoms are relieved or adverse effects appear. Because adverse effects can be serious, levodopa is frequently given in combination with carbidopa to halt peripheral dopamine synthesis. Occasionally, levodopa proves ineffective, producing dangerous adverse effects that include postural hypotension, hallucinations, and increased libido leading to inappropriate sexual behavior. In that case, alternative drug therapy includes anticholinergics such as trihexyphenidyl, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, and amantadine, an antiviral agent.
Research on the oxidative stress theory has caused a controversy in drug therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Traditionally, levodopa-carbidopa has been a first-line drug in management; however, it has also been associated with an acceleration of disease process. Inclusion of entacapone potentiates the effects of levodopa-carbidopa treatment so that less frequent doses are required.
Selegiline, an enzyme-inhibiting agent, allows conservation of dopamine and enhances the therapeutic effect of levodopa. Selegiline used with tocopherols delays the time when the patient with Parkinson’s disease becomes disabled.
ELDER TIP Elderly patients may need smaller doses of antiparkinsonian drugs because of reduced tolerance. Be alert for and report orthostatic hypotension, irregular pulse, blepharospasm, and anxiety or confusion.
When drug therapy fails, stereotactic neurosurgery, such as subthalamotomy and pallidotomy, may be an alternative. In these procedures, electrical coagulation, freezing, radioactivity, or ultrasound destroys the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus to prevent involuntary movement. This is most effective in young, otherwise healthy people with unilateral tremor or muscle rigidity. Neurosurgery can only relieve symptoms. Brain stimulator implantation alters the activity of the area where Parkinson’s disease symptoms originate. A pacemaker is implanted into the chest wall, and the electrode is threaded (using magnetic resonance imaging for guidance) to the thalamus, pallidum, or subthalamic nucleus. A successful procedure reduces the need for medication, thus reducing the medication-related adverse effects experienced by the patient.
Individually planned physical therapy complements drug treatment and neurosurgery to maintain normal muscle tone and function. Appropriate physical therapy includes both active and passive range-of-motion exercises, routine daily activities, walking, and baths and massage to help relax muscles.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Emergency interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Because asterixis may signal serious metabolic deterioration, quickly evaluate the patient’s neurologic status and vital signs. Compare these data with his baseline, and watch carefully for acute changes. Continue to closely monitor neurologic status, vital signs, and urine output.
Watch for signs of respiratory insufficiency, and be prepared to provide endotracheal intubation and ventilatory support. Also, be alert for complications of end-stage hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease.
If the patient has hepatic disease, assess him for early indications of hemorrhage, including restlessness, tachypnea, and cool, moist, pale skin. (If the patient is jaundiced, check for pallor in the conjunctivae and mucous membranes of the mouth.) Be aware that hypotension, oliguria, hematemesis, and melena are late signs of hemorrhage. Prepare to insert a large-bore I.V. line for fluid and blood replacement. Position the patient flat in bed with his legs elevated 20 degrees. Begin or continue to administer oxygen.
If the patient has renal disease, briefly review the therapy he has received. If he’s on dialysis, ask about the frequency of treatments to help gauge the disease’s severity. Question a family member if the patient’s LOC is significantly decreased.
Then assess the patient for hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis. Look for tachycardia, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle weakness, hyperreflexia, and Kussmaul’s respirations. Prepare to administer sodium bicarbonate, calcium gluconate, dextrose, insulin, or sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate).
If the patient has pulmonary disease, check for labored respirations, tachypnea, accessory muscle use, and cyanosis, which are critical signs. Prepare to provide ventilatory support by nasal cannula, mask, or intubation and mechanical ventilation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Parkinson's disease:
Treatment
(Handbook of Diseases)
Because there’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease, the primary aim of treatment is to relieve symptoms and keep the patient functional as long as possible. Treatment consists of drugs, physical therapy and, in those unresponsive to drugs, stereotactic neurosurgery.
Drug therapy
Drug therapy usually includes levodopa, a dopamine replacement that’s most effective during the early stages. It’s given in increasing doses until symptoms are relieved or the patient has an adverse reaction to it. Because adverse reactions can be serious, levodopa is commonly given with carbidopa to halt peripheral dopamine synthesis.
When levodopa proves ineffective or too toxic, alternative drug therapy includes anticholinergics such as trihexyphenidyl, antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, and antivirals such as amantadine. Selegiline, an enzyme-inhibitor, helps conserve dopamine and enhances the therapeutic effect of levodopa.
Treatment may include dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine and ropinirole, which act directly on dopamine receptors. Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, such as entacapone and tolcapone, are given with dopamine; this new class of drugs blocks an enzyme that breaks down peripheral levodopa.
UNDER STUDY: Research on the oxidative stress theory has caused a controversy in drug therapy for Parkinson’s disease. Although levodopa (with carbidopa) has traditionally been a first-line drug in management of the disease, the drug has also been associated with an acceleration of the disease process. Selegiline followed by levodopa (with carbidopa) may provide increased protection.
Stereotactic neurosurgery
When drug therapy fails, stereotactic neurosurgery may be an alternative. With this procedure, electrical coagulation, freezing, radioactivity, or ultrasound destroys the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus to prevent involuntary movement. It’s most effective in young, otherwise-healthy persons with unilateral tremor or muscle rigidity; however, neurosurgery can help by relieving symptoms.
Deep brain stimulation is another procedure that may be performed to relieve symptoms. This procedure involves implanting an electrode in the affected area of the brain. The electrode is powered by a battery pack similar to those used with cardiac pacemakers.
Physical therapy
Individually planned physical therapy complements drug treatment and neurosurgery to maintain normal muscle tone and function. Appropriate physical therapy includes active and passive range-of-motion exercises, routine daily activities, walking, and baths and massage to help relax muscles.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
Tremors:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Encourage the patient to express his feelings about changes in his body image to reduce anxiety and depression. Because reinforcing independence may help maintain self-esteem, encourage the patient to do as much of his own personal care as possible. Provide assistive devices, if necessary, to help with activities of daily living.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Tremors:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Assist the patient with activities of daily living, as necessary.
▪ Provide the patient with a safe environment.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain the underlying disorder and treatment plan.
▪ Discuss ways for the patient to be as independent as possible.
▪ Instruct the patient on the use of assistive devices.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Asterixis [Liver flap, flapping tremor]:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Provide frequent rest periods to minimize fatigue.
▪ Elevate the head of the bed to relieve dyspnea and orthopnea; administer oxygen therapy.
▪ Administer oil baths and avoid soap to relieve itching caused by jaundice and uremia.
▪ Provide emotional support to the patient and his family.
▪ If the patient is intubated or has a decreased LOC, provide enteral or parenteral nutrition.
▪ Closely monitor serum and urine glucose levels to evaluate hyperalimentation.
▪ Because the patient will probably be on bed rest, reposition him at least once every 2 hours to prevent skin breakdown.
▪ Because the patient's debilitated state makes him prone to infection, follow strict hand-washing and aseptic techniques when changing dressings and caring for invasive lines.
▪ Discuss end-of-life issues, as appropriate.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain the underlying disorder and treatment plan.
▪ Teach the patient the importance of planning periods of rest.
▪ Explain measures to relieve itching.
▪ Discuss measures to reduce the risk of infection with the patient and his family.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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