Anti-Parkinson’s Disease Drugs
TERMS
□ biperiden (Akineton)
□ levodopa (Dopar)
□ tolcapone (Tasmar)
QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD
An English doctor named James Parkinson was the first person to relate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in 1817. This disease was at first called, “shaking palsy,” and it took until 1960 before the reason for the signs and symptoms could be explained.1 Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, chronic, neurologic illness that affects the neurons in the substantia nigra area of the brain where dopamine is produced. This in turn causes an imbalance of the neurotransmitters, dopamine, and acetylcholine. The four classic symptoms of the disease are tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia (slow movement), and postural instability.2 The main treatment for Parkinson’s disease at this time is drug therapy. There currently is no cure for this disease.
There is a combination drug called Stalevo currently available. It is composed of carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone, and is given in tablet form.3
Table 23-1 Anti-Parkinson’s Disease Drugs | ||||||||||||
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ANTI-PARKINSON’S DRUGS CLIENT TEACHINGAnticholinergics
Do not breast-feed.
Suck on hard candy and perform frequent mouth care if you experience dry mouth.
No activities requiring concentration until effects of drug are known
Drug dose may be increased as you develop tolerance to the drug over time.
Urinate before taking the drug if urinary retention is a problem.
Suck on hard candy and perform frequent mouth care if you experience dry mouth.
Drug dose may be increased as you develop tolerance to the drug over time.COMT Inhibitors
No hazardous activities until drug response is known
No alcohol or sedative drugs
Change positions slowly.
Drug must not be stopped abruptly.
Do not breast-feed.
Notify physician of: fainting, hallucinations, severe diarrhea, increased loss of muscle control, or yellow eyes or skin.
Notify physician of: fainting, hallucinations, severe diarrhea, increased loss of muscle control, or yellow eyes or skin.Dopaminergics
Do not breast-feed.
Drug benefits may not be seen for weeks or months.
Avoid foods high in protein and pyridoxine (Vitamin B6).
Check with physician before taking any OTC drugs.
Urine and perspiration may turn dark in color.
Drug must not be stopped abruptly.
Change positions slowly.
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