Skip to main content

Medications for Parkinson's Disease

A progressive, neurological disease first described in 1817 by James Parkinson. The pathology is not completely understood, but there appears to be consistent changes in the melanin-containing nerve cells in the brainstem. Common medications used to treat parkinson's disease include amantadine and Rytary.

Drugs used to treat Parkinson's Disease

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Filter
Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
carbidopa / levodopa 6.5 52 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Brand names:  Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, Parcopa, Dhivy …show all

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Sinemet 7.6 12 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Azilect 7.4 10 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: rasagiline systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

amantadine 7.1 16 reviews
Rx C N

Generic name: amantadine systemic

Brand names:  Gocovri, Osmolex ER

Drug class: adamantane antivirals, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

ropinirole 5.4 15 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: ropinirole systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

pramipexole 4.9 20 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: pramipexole systemic

Brand name:  Mirapex ER

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Rytary 5.8 26 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

selegiline 9.7 3 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: selegiline systemic

Brand names:  Eldepryl, Zelapar

Drug class: monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

rasagiline 6.5 14 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: rasagiline systemic

Brand name:  Azilect

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

benztropine 1.0 1 review
Rx N N X

Generic name: benztropine systemic

Brand name:  Cogentin

Drug class: anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Neupro 6.6 21 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: rotigotine systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Mirapex ER 8.6 5 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: pramipexole systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Cogentin Rate Add review
Rx N N X

Generic name: benztropine systemic

Drug class: anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Comtan 4.0 6 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: entacapone systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

entacapone 4.6 14 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: entacapone systemic

Brand name:  Comtan

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

trihexyphenidyl 4.6 9 reviews
Rx N N X

Generic name: trihexyphenidyl systemic

Drug class: anticholinergic antiparkinson agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

levodopa Rate Add review
Rx N N X

Generic name: levodopa systemic

Brand name:  Inbrija

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Duopa Rate Add review
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Eldepryl 10 1 review
Rx C N X

Generic name: selegiline systemic

Drug class: monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

Exelon 5.7 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: rivastigmine systemic

Drug class: cholinesterase inhibitors

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Stalevo 7.0 8 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa 7.0 10 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa systemic

Brand names:  Stalevo, Stalevo 100, Stalevo 150, Stalevo 200, Stalevo 50, Stalevo 75, Stalevo 125 …show all

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Parcopa Rate Add review
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Apokyn 7.3 3 reviews
Rx C N X

Generic name: apomorphine systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Dhivy Rate Add review
Rx C N X

Generic name: carbidopa / levodopa systemic

Drug class: dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

View more FAQ

Topics under Parkinson's Disease

Alternative treatments for Parkinson's Disease

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Parkinson's Disease. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Parkinson's Disease.

Learn more about Parkinson's Disease

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.