Abstract

A BRIEF DIDACTIC APPROACH OF MEDICATION THERAPY MANAGEMENT USED FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Kirti Rani* and Bishnu Parida

ABSTRACT

Parkinson is a pathological condition occurred due to degenerative disorder of central nervous system affecting the motor system. It results due to death of dopamine-generating cells in region of midbrain. It effects body movements including shivering of arms, legs, face, limb stiffness, slow motility, impaired functions in balance and coordination between body parts. Other common symptoms are depression, emotional breakdown, dysregulation of mood, speech problems, urinary problems, sleeplessness and skin problems. At present, there is no permanent cure for this disease and certain drugs available that helps in relieving from parkinsonism e.g. levodopa, pramipexole, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors. Among them, levodopa and pramipexole are used initially to treat Parkinson. Levodopa is the most effective that get metabolized to dopamine in the brain by replacing biosynthetic precursor. It is also called as L-DOPA. In early onset of symptoms easily respond to L-DOPA treatment. Due to L-DOPA treatment, common symptoms such as motor disturbances, hallucinations, memory problems and confusion makes are respond well to consider Levodopa act as a standard treatment. Pramipexole is a non-ergot dopamine agonist which is effective in the treatment of this disease and major symptoms like fluctuations , dyskinesias, neuroprotection, dysregulation of mood, cardiac valvulopathy and somnipathy respond well when used with levodopa in combination with carbidopa. Common side effects called dyskinesia ocuured less when mediation with pramipexole is used as compared to treatment with levodopa. On other side, medication with levodopa lead to less occurrence in signs of edema. So, Levodopa and pramipexole are effective in dopaminergic therapy with divergent drug efficacy.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; Levodopa; Pramipexole; dopamine; dopamine agonists; MAO-B inhibitors; COMT inhibitors.