How to improve parkinson's disease treatment
After diagnosing de Parkinson's disease, understanding the disease and treatment is the first step.
For a better treatment of Parkinson's disease, there are several medications that are effective and that should be used in the best way.
Thus, we list some activities and guidelines for the best treatment of Parkinson's disease:
Using Parkinson's Disease Remedies Correctly!
It may seem simple, but it's not! Many medications must be used several times a day, at specific times. Some may have side effects initially. But remember: medicine is not the villain!
Remedies should be seen as a tool, which can be useful if used properly.
Now, here are some tips and guidelines regarding medications:
How to Properly Use Medicines in the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
Levodopa (prolopa®, parkidopa®, ekson®) in Parkinson's disease
Levodopa must be taken on an empty stomach for the first dose. Subsequent doses during the day should be taken away from meals. If it is lunch or dinner, it is recommended that it be taken 1 hour before or 2 hours after these meals.
Parkinson's Disease Treatment
Safinamide (Xadago®) in Parkinson's disease
Safinamide is an MAO-B inhibitor drug. MAO-B is a natural enzyme present in animals and is responsible for degrading monoamines such as dopamine. This degradation is a natural process of the body, where "we use a neurotransmitter, then we reallocate through the degradation of the neurotransmitter".
Safinamide should be used once a day.
Possible side effects are: feeling sick, nauseous, drowsiness. In rarer cases it can lead to hypersexuality (increase libido abnormally).
Rasagiline (Azilect®) in Parkinson's disease
Rasagiline is an MAO-B inhibitor drug. MAO-B is a natural enzyme present in animals and is responsible for degrading monoamines such as dopamine. This degradation is a natural process of the body, where "we use a neurotransmitter, then we reallocate through the degradation of the neurotransmitter".
Rasagiline should be used once a day.
Possible side effects are: feeling sick, nauseous, drowsiness. In rarer cases it can lead to hypersexuality (increase libido abnormally). It can sometimes worsen dyskinesia (in the patient who already has it).
Entacapone (contam®, entarkin®) in Parkinson's disease
Entacapone should be used 3 times a day. Sometimes, to reduce side effects or to protect from some off times (to avoid periods of worsening symptoms), it can be used 4 or even 5 times a day.
Possible side effects are: feeling sick, nauseous, drowsiness.
A common side effect of entacapone is that the urine turns green!
Mbut, in general, it is not very problematic (you do not need to stop the medicine because of this).
Pramipexole (sifrol®, stabil®, quera®) in Parkinson's disease
Pramipexole should be taken 3 times a day. There is no impediment to taking it near food, like Levodopa, but many times, to make it easier, we recommend using it together with Levodopa or other medications.
There are once daily formulations (Quera LP®, Sifrol ER®, Pisa®). These formulations can be taken once a day (in the evening or in the morning). As this medicine can often make you sleepy, it is commonly recommended to use it at night, but there are people who do not have this associated effect and can take it during the day without problems.