Treatment of Parkinson's disease in the advanced stage

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2013 Apr;120(4):523-9. doi: 10.1007/s00702-013-1008-y. Epub 2013 Mar 10.

Abstract

Levodopa/Carbidopa, respectively, Levodopa/Benserazide is the most effective treatment for Parkinson's disease and during the progress of the disease, patients will inevitably need to be treated with it. Nonetheless, after a certain time period most of the patients experience side effects. Mainly disturbing are motor and non-motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Numerous options from changing the medication regimen, to continuos dopaminergic drug delivery via apomorphine or Duodopa pumps and stereotactical interventions are available. The physician's responsibility is to choose the right therapeutic procedure for each timepoint of the patient's disease. In this review, we provide an up to date overview of the available strategies.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use*
  • Dopamine Agonists / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Combinations
  • Dyskinesias / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Dopamine Agonists
  • Drug Combinations
  • carbidopa, levodopa drug combination
  • Levodopa
  • Carbidopa