Parkinson’s Medications
When you’re living with Parkinson’s, medication is typically an important part of your overall care. Professionals trained to help you with medications include movement disorder specialists, neurologists, primary care physicians, pharmacists, physician assistants, and advanced practice nurses. There are many different classes of medications that offer options for people with mild to advanced Parkinson’s symptoms. Treatment discoveries are also progressing at a rapid pace, and new medications are continually added to the growing list.
Here, you’ll find a collection of our most popular and helpful resources about Parkinson’s medications.
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Parkinson’s Medication Guide
This guide offers the most in-depth, up-to-date information about Parkinson’s medications, divided by medication category and including generic name, trade name, notes, and relevant websites for all listed medications.
Medication Management for Motor Symptoms
Although many symptoms can occur in Parkinson’s, the most common motor symptoms are tremor, stiffness, and slowness. In this webinar, movement disorder specialist Dr. Aaron Haug discusses treatment strategies and explains in detail the specific medications used to treat the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.
How to Take Levodopa for Parkinson’s
In this short video, movement disorder specialist Dr. Cherian Karunapuzha explains how Parkinson’s medications work and how to ensure you get the most out of each dose. When one of our community members watched this video, she immediately changed her medication routine. Here’s what she said, “My meds kick in much quicker, each dose lasts longer, my OFF periods are significantly less, and I feel like a new woman!”
How to Reduce the Cost of Your Parkinson’s Medications
One of the most common worries we hear from people living with Parkinson’s is concern about how they’ll be able to pay for their medication over the long term. Since Parkinson’s often causes a multitude of symptoms – both motor and non-motor – that require treatment, it can be stressful to find a way to afford everything you need. However, many pharmaceutical companies now have Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) that help people in need afford their medications. Whether you’re uninsured or underinsured, these programs can get you the medicine you need at low or no cost. We have compiled a set of resources that includes general databases you can use to search for a variety of medications (and resources that can help you afford them) and specific links for common Parkinson’s medications. Additionally, there are a variety of links included to grant-making and assistance-offering national Parkinson’s organizations.
Explore More Parkinson's Medication Resources
Additional Videos
- Medications for Non-motor Symptoms
- YOPD Women’s Council: Medications and Treatments
- OFF: What It Is and How to Manage It
- YOPD Council: Medications, Side Effects, and Parkinson’s
- What You Need to Know about Formularies
- The What, Why, and How of Treating Parkinson’s Dyskinesia
- When Is the Best Time to Start Parkinson’s Medications?
- The Benefits of Duopa™ for People with Parkinson’s
- Dos and Don’ts of a Doctor’s Office Visit
- What If You Can No Longer Get Your Parkinson’s Medications?
- Medication and Parkinson’s
- Medication, Protein, and Parkinson’s
- When (and How) to Consider a Different Parkinson’s Medication
- The Benefits of Duopa™ for People with Parkinson’s
- Formularies, Insurance, and Parkinson’s
- Parkinson’s Medications: What Is Step Therapy?
- Living with Parkinson’s: What Is OFF?
- The Science of Parkinson’s OFF
- You Don’t Have to Have OFF Times with Parkinson’s
- What Is Parkinson’s Disease Dyskinesia?
- The Difference between OFF and Parkinson’s Dyskinesia
- Impulse Control Disorders and Parkinson’s: What They Are and How to Manage Them