Antiparkinson

An antiparkinson, or antiparkinsonian, is a type of drug which is intended to treat and relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) or Parkinsonism. Most of these agents act by either increasing dopamine activity or reducing acetylcholine activity in the central nervous system (CNS).

Examples

• L-DOPA (Levodopa) & Carbidopa: L-DOPA enters the brain and is converted into dopamine; Carbidopa prevents the peripheral synthesis of dopamine from L-DOPA to prevent undesirable sympathomimetic side effects.
• Selegiline, Rasagiline: prevent the metabolism of dopamine by MAO_B and hence increase its brain levels.
• Entacapone, Tolcapone: prevent the metabolism of dopamine by COMT and hence increase its brain levels.
• Apomorphine, Bromocriptine, Pramipexole, Ropinirole, Rotigotine: dopamine receptor agonists which directly increase the activity of the dopamine system.
• Anticholinergics - Antimuscarinics (e.g., Benzatropine): to prevent hyperkinesia.

See also

• Acetylcholine
• Dopamine
• Parkinson's disease
• Parkinsonism