Medications for Parkinson's disease

Question 1

Levodopa - what does it do?

Answer 1

it is a synthetic dopamine given orally to boost dopamine levels

Question 2

Give two examples of drugs that have to be given alongside levodopa

Answer 2

benserazide

carbidopa

Question 3

What 3 things can happen if dopamine levels are too high in the patient?

Answer 3

dystonia: exaggerated movements and abnormal postures
chorea: abnormal, jerky movements
athetosis: writhing and twisting of fingers

Question 4

What are COMT inhibitors?

Answer 4

drugs that inhibit catechol-o-methyltransferase which is what breaks down levodopa

Question 5

name a COMT inhibitor drug

Answer 5

entacapone

Question 6

What are dopamine agonists?

Answer 6

drugs that mimic dopamine and stimulate dopamine receptors in the basal ganglia

Question 7

name 3 dopamine agonists

Answer 7

Bromocryptine
Pergolide
Carbergoline

Question 8

name the notable side effect of taking dopamine agonist drugs

Answer 8

pulmonary fibrosis

Question 9

What do monoamine oxidase B inhibitors do?

Answer 9

inhibit the breakdown of dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline that monoamine oxidase B enzyme usually does

Question 10

Name 2 monoamine oxidase B inhibitors

Answer 10

Selegiline and Rasagiline