Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease Medications

Question 1

Sinemet

Answer 1

Generic Name: Levodopa/ Carbidopa
Class: Dopamine Agents
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Interacts with MAOIs (phenelzine, etc); May cause movement disorders, N/V, and vivid dreams
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 2

Mirapex

Answer 2

Generic Name: Pramipexole
Class: Dopamine Agents
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Interacts with sedating meds (BDZs, opioids, etc) and alcohol; May cause movement disorders, N/V, and impulsive behavior
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 3

Requip

Answer 3

Generic Name: Ropinirole
Class: Dopamine Agents
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Interacts with sedating meds (BDZs, opioids, etc) and alcohol; May cause movement disorders, nausea, and impulsive behavior
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 4

Azilect

Answer 4

Generic Name: Rasagiline
Class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Interacts with many drug classes (opioids, SSRIs, SNRIs, etc) and tyramine-containing foods (beer, aged cheeses, etc); May cause drowsiness and movement disorders; NIOSH meds
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 5

Zelapar

Answer 5

Generic Name: Selegiline
Class: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs)
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Interacts with many drug classes (opioids, SSRIs, SNRIs, etc) and tyramine-containing foods (beer, aged cheeses, etc); May cause drowsiness and movement disorders
Dosage Forms: Oral solid, topical

Question 6

Comtan

Answer 6

Generic Name: Entacapone
Class: Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) Inhibitors
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Usually taken with levodopa/carbidopa (when all 3 are combined in one pill, bran is Stalevo)
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 7

Tasmar

Answer 7

Generic Name: Tolcapone
Class: Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) Inhibitors
Indications: Parkinson’s Disease
Special Considerations: Usually taken with levodopa/carbidopa
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 8

Exelon

Answer 8

Generic Name: Rivastigmine
Class: Cholinesterase Inhibitors
Indications: Alzheimer’s Disease
Special Considerations: May cause N/V
Dosage Forms: Oral solid, topical

Question 9

Aricept

Answer 9

Generic Name: Donepezil
Class: Cholinesterase Inhibitor
Indications: Alzheimer’s Disease
Special Considerations: May cause N/V
Dosage Forms: Oral solid

Question 10

Namenda

Answer 10

Generic Name: Memantine
Class: N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) Receptor Antagonists
Indications: Alzheimer’s Disease
Special Considerations: May cause N/V
Dosage Forms: Oral solid