Fact Sheet Endorsed by

Australian
College of
Nursing

Medicines for
Parkinson’s disease

Medicines for Parkinson’s disease provide symptomatic relief. No medicine has yet been shown to slow
progression of the disease. There are also some medicines that should be avoided.

Medicine regimens are individual Avoid interactions with meals

Doses, preparations, frequency and timing need to be individualised Food, particularly protein, can interfere with absorption of
according to symptoms, and to minimise side effects. levodopa. It is best if levodopa medicines are given consistently
30 to 60 minutes before meals.
Parkinson’s medicines come in various doses and preparations
(e.g. controlled release, immediate release, subcutaneous infusion). Chart Parkinson’s medicines before surgery
Make sure Parkinson’s medicines are charted before surgery,
Give Parkinson’s medicines on time or contact the anaesthetist for further instructions.
Even 15 minutes late can make symptoms significantly worse.
Review medicines if pain persists
Let the person with Parkinson’s self-medicate Many people with Parkinson’s have pain, either from muscle rigidity
if possible or dystonias (sustained cramps). Pain due to dystonia is not usually
This may give the best chance of medicines being taken on time helped by analgesics, but is helped by Parkinson’s medicines. If dystonia
(providing there is no significant cognitive impairment). persists, slow-release levodopa or agonists in combination may be
needed, especially during ‘off’ periods such as during the night.
Don’t stop or reduce the dose without consulting Manage nausea
a neurologist or geriatrician
Some people may need to take Parkinson’s medicines with juice
Abrupt withdrawal or reduction in dose of Parkinson’s medicines or jelly to reduce nausea. If nausea persists, domperidone (Motilium)
may cause serious symptoms, such as worsening tremor, rigidity is usually recommended if an oral medicine is appropriate, and
and bradykinesia. Abrupt withdrawal may also trigger neuroleptic ondansetron (e.g. Zofran) IV if an oral medicine is not appropriate.
malignant syndrome, resulting in acute worsening of Parkinson’s Note: Ondansetron is contraindicated in patients on apomorphine.
symptoms, high fever, reduced level of consciousness and Avoid metoclopramide (e.g. Maxolon) and prochlorperazine
autonomic dysfunction. (e.g. Stemetil) as they can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms.

Medicines that must be avoided in people with Parkinson’s disease

This is only a small selection — many other medicines can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms or interact with Parkinson’s medicines.
Check the contraindications on the prescribing information carefully before starting any new medicine.

Antinausea medicines to avoid Antipsychotic medicines to avoid

metoclopramide (e.g. Maxolon) chlorpromazine (e.g. Largactil) olanzapine (e.g. Zyprexa)
prochlorperazine (e.g. Stemetil). haloperidol (e.g. Serenace) risperidone (e.g. Risperdal).
The above medicines are a common cause of serious adverse Some antidepressants and some blood pressure
effects in people with Parkinson’s. Domperidone (Motilium) is
lowering medicines
usually recommended if an oral medicine is appropriate and
ondansetron (e.g. Zofran) IV if an oral medicine is not appropriate. Check the contraindications on the prescribing information
Note: Ondansetron is contraindicated in patients on apomorphine. carefully before starting any new antidepressant medicine
or any new blood pressure medicine.

Fact Sheet | Medicines for Parkinson’s disease

Types of Parkinson’s disease medicines Anticholinergics
These medicines are seldom used for Parkinson’s due to a high side
Dopamine replacement effect profile in the elderly and a lack of therapeutic effect. They reduce
The mainstay of Parkinson’s treatment is dopamine replacement acetylcholine effects in Parkinson’s, and may be useful for treating
(levodopa) in combination with a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor tremor in younger people.
(carbidopa or benserazide) to reduce peripheral side effects of levodopa. benzhexol (Artane)
levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet, Kinson) benztropine (Benztrop, Cogentin)
levodopa/benserazide (Madopar) biperiden (Akineton).
levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (Stalevo).
Possible side effects include blurred vision, dry mouth, urinary
Levodopa stays in the blood for only 60–180 minutes, but has a longer retention and constipation.
action — especially in early Parkinson’s. In some people with more
advanced Parkinson’s, it may only last 60–120 minutes, leading to MAO type B inhibitors
‘on’ / ‘off’ motor fluctuations. Possible side effects include nausea These selectively inhibit monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), one
(initially), hypotension, motor fluctuations, hallucinations and dyskinesia. of the enzymes that catabolises dopamine in the brain, and also
block dopamine reuptake. They prolong the effect of dopamine.
Dopamine agonists selegiline (Eldepryl, Selgene)
These act on dopamine receptor sites in the basal ganglia, in a similar
rasagiline (Azilect).
way to levodopa. They can allow a decrease in levodopa dosage and
improve motor fluctuations. Possible side effects include sleep disturbances, hypotension, headache
pramipexole (Sifrol, Simipex) and nausea. MAO-B inhibitors have dangerous interactions with some
other medicines, including pethidine and some antidepressants, and can
cabergoline (e.g. Bergoline, Cabaser, Cobasol)
contribute to serotonin toxicity. Check interactions before prescribing.
pergolide (Permax)
bromocriptine (Kripton, Parlodel) Amantadine
rotigotine patches (Neupro) Possibly acts as an indirect dopamine receptor agonist as well
apomorphine (Apomine) — injectable medicine. as having some anticholinergic activity. It is also used for treatment
of severe dyskinesias.
Possible side effects include those for dopamine replacement. amantadine (Symmetrel).
These medicines can also cause or contribute to daytime sleepiness.
There are also potential risks associated with ergot-derived agonists Side effects include ankle swelling and difficulty sleeping.
(cabergoline, pergolide and bromocryptine) of cardiac valvular
disease and pleuropulmonary/retroperitoneal fibrosis. Please
note that dopamine agonists have been associated with impulse Treatments for advanced disease
control disorder (ICD). People whose Parkinson’s symptoms are not well controlled
may require one of the following advanced treatments:
COMT inhibitors
levodopa/carbidopa (Duodopa) intestinal gel — medicine
These inhibit catechol-o-methyl transferase, which breaks down
is directly infused into the duodenum or upper jejunum by
levodopa. This results in higher and more sustained levodopa
an electronic pump
plasma concentrations, prolonging its action. At present, there
is only one medicine available on PBS: apomorphine (Apomine) — administered by injection
or infusion subcutaneously by an electronic pump
entacapone (Comtan).
deep brain stimulation — a surgically implanted device
Possible side effects include gastrointestinal upset electrically stimulates the brain.
and increased dyskinesia.

The Parkinson’s Passport, Medicines List for people with Parkinson’s and Checklist for managing my Parkinson’s symptoms are available in
editable PDF format for download and print from nps.org.au/parkinsons-passport and parkinsons.org.au. Copies can be ordered from
Parkinson’s Australia by phoning 1800 644 189.

On time, every time with Parkinson’s medicines

Level 7/418A Elizabeth St 02 8217 8700 Independent, not-for-profit and
Surry Hills NSW 2010 02 9211 7578 evidence based, NPS enables better
decisions about medicines and
PO Box 1147 [email protected]
medical tests. We are funded
Strawberry Hills NSW 2012 www.nps.org.au by the Australian Government
Department of Health and Ageing.
© National Prescribing Service
Limited and Parkinson’s Australia
Incorporated 2013.

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from health professionals.
Do not use the information to treat or diagnose your own or another person’s medical condition and never ignore medical advice or delay seeking it because of something in this
document. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. To the fullest extent permitted by law, NPS disclaims
all liability (including without limitation for negligence) for any loss, damage, or injury resulting from reliance on, or use of this information. Any references to brands should not be
taken as an endorsement by NPS.

Fact Sheet | Medicines for Parkinson’s disease NPS1423