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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.

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Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
Eldepryl 10 1 review for Eldepryl to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
selegiline systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
safinamide 10 4 reviews for safinamide to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx N X
Generic name:
safinamide systemic
Brand name:
Xadago
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Xadago 10 4 reviews for Xadago to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx N X
Generic name:
safinamide systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
selegiline 9.7 3 reviews for selegiline to treat Parkinson's Disease
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
Zelapar 9.5 2 reviews for Zelapar to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
selegiline systemic
Drug class:
monoamine oxidase inhibitors, dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Stalevo 200 9.0 1 review for Stalevo 200 to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
Mirapex ER 8.6 5 reviews for Mirapex ER to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
pramipexole systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Gocovri 8.0 2 reviews for Gocovri to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N
Generic name:
amantadine systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
istradefylline 8.0 3 reviews for istradefylline to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx N
Generic name:
istradefylline systemic
Brand name:
Nourianz
Drug class:
miscellaneous antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Nourianz 8.0 3 reviews for Nourianz to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx N
Generic name:
istradefylline systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous antiparkinson agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Sinemet 7.6 12 reviews for Sinemet to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carbidopa / levodopa systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
apomorphine 7.5 4 reviews for apomorphine to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
apomorphine systemic
Brand names:
Apokyn, Kynmobi
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
Azilect 7.4 10 reviews for Azilect to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
rasagiline systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Apokyn 7.3 3 reviews for Apokyn to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
apomorphine systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
amantadine 7.2 17 reviews for amantadine to treat Parkinson's Disease
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
carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa 7.0 10 reviews for carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa to treat Parkinson's Disease
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
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Stalevo 7.0 8 reviews for Stalevo to treat Parkinson's Disease
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
Neupro 6.9 23 reviews for Neupro to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
rotigotine systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
rotigotine 6.9 23 reviews for rotigotine to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
rotigotine systemic
Brand name:
Neupro
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
carbidopa / levodopa 6.5 56 reviews for carbidopa / levodopa to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carbidopa / levodopa systemic
Brand names:
Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, Parcopa, Dhivy
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
rasagiline 6.5 14 reviews for rasagiline to treat Parkinson's Disease
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
Rytary 6.0 28 reviews for Rytary to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx C N X
Generic name:
carbidopa / levodopa systemic
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
Exelon 5.7 3 reviews for Exelon to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx B N
Generic name:
rivastigmine systemic
Drug class:
cholinesterase inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information
bromocriptine 5.5 2 reviews for bromocriptine to treat Parkinson's Disease
Rx B N X
Generic name:
bromocriptine systemic
Brand name:
Parlodel
Drug class:
dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents, prolactin inhibitors
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information
ropinirole 5.4 15 reviews for ropinirole to treat Parkinson's Disease
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

Frequently asked questions

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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.