HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Suggest The Most Effective Medicine For Parkinson's Disease

default
Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014
Question: Of all the medications used to slow the progression of Parkinsons which is deemed the most effective and which has the least side effects?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
There is insufficient data to conclude that.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for posting your query.

Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors like selegiline and rasagiline have shown some neuroprotective or disease modifying effects, but the effects are not consistent and there is not enough clinical data conclusively prove that these medicines do in fact slow the disease progression.

So, it is hard to answer your specific question about which drug is most effective.

Both these medicines are shown to have minimal short term side effects, but the long term side effects are significant for both.

Other drugs that are currently being investigated for this purpose include creatine and isradipine.

I hope this information will help you.

Warm regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (5 days later)
I have begun taking rasagline, what are the long term side effects to which you refer?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Extra pyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thank you for getting back to me.

The most common long term side effect associated with Rasagiline is of extra pyramidal symptoms, that is dyskinesia/dystonia (18%),

Other common side effects include, Headache (14%), Nausea (10-12%), Postural hypotension (6-9%).

EPS is the most troubling side effect.

Hope this answers your question.

Kind regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (6 days later)
Can you describe EPS symptoms and approximately how long will it take on average for the EPS symptoms to begin.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Yogesh D (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Most are same as the symptoms of parkinsonism

Detailed Answer:
Hello Mr. XXXXXXX

Thank you for writing back.

Extrapyramidal symptoms are the same symptoms that are commonly seen in parkinson's disease and they include,
Tremors
Akathisia
Slurred speech
Dystonia
Bradyphrenia
Bradykinesia
Muscular rigidity

For complete list of side-effects and patient information about this medicine you can see this link http://www.medicinenet.com/rasagiline/article.htm or this http://reference.medscape.com/drug/azilect-rasagiline-343055#91

There is no literature available to answer your other question, the peak plasma time is about 1 hour and elimination half life is 1 to 3 hours, it is a relatively fast and short acting medicine, based on this, I can say that EPS can develop with each dose and can wear off after some time, but I can not be sure about this.

Hope this helps

Wishing you good health.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Yogesh D

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1130 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Suggest The Most Effective Medicine For Parkinson's Disease

Brief Answer: There is insufficient data to conclude that. Detailed Answer: Hello Mr. XXXXXXX Thank you for posting your query. Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors like selegiline and rasagiline have shown some neuroprotective or disease modifying effects, but the effects are not consistent and there is not enough clinical data conclusively prove that these medicines do in fact slow the disease progression. So, it is hard to answer your specific question about which drug is most effective. Both these medicines are shown to have minimal short term side effects, but the long term side effects are significant for both. Other drugs that are currently being investigated for this purpose include creatine and isradipine. I hope this information will help you. Warm regards.