Therapy

Patient-matched medication

Drug therapy

The treatment of Parkinson’s disease focuses on drug therapy. A combination of drugs with complimentary effects is usually prescribed. The same applies to concomitant psychiatric, internal and orthopaedic disorders. The groups of substances currently available often differ significantly in their effects and side-effects. Dopamine agonists and L-Dopa, have proven especially successful. Depending on clinical pattern and tolerance, NMDA antagonists (Amantadine), COMT inhibitors, MAO-B inhibitors and/or anticholinergics are also prescribed.

When and in which form specific medication is introduced has to be decided from case to case. The most decisive factor is the individual situation of the patient and how copes with his complaints and the restrictions to his personal and professional life.

Dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors have been shown to alter or even delay the onset of the illness so this is something that is also taken into consideration.

The patient’s age as well as clinical condition play a significant role. The younger the patient is, the longer the introduction of L-Dopa should be delayed. Because of the length of the illness, younger patients are often affected by long-term complications such as fluctuating mobility, dyskinesia (involuntary movements) or dystonia (sustained muscle contractions). It is therefore important that medication is checked on a regular basis and adapted to the patient’s individual and changing needs and requirements.