Chapter 24 - AntiParkinsonism Agents

Question 1

Levodopa (I)

Answer 1

Treatment of Parkinson’s disease

Question 2

Levodopa (A)

Answer 2

Precursor of dopamine, which is deficient in Parkinsonism; crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it is converted to dopamine and acts as a replacement neurotransmitter; effective for 2 to 5 years in relieving the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Question 3

Levadopa (AE-DD-CI)

Answer 3

AE- Adventitious movements, ataxia, agitation, cardiac irregularities
CI- angel-closure glaucoma, history or presence of suspicious skin lesions, cautiously use w/: MI, arrhythmias, HTN, brachial asthma, peptic ulcers, Urinary tract obstruction and psychiatric disorders
DDI- MAOI SHOULD BE STOPED 14 days before starting on dopaminergic and no OTC drugs

Question 4

Benztropine (I)

Answer 4

Anticholinergic

Indi- Adjunctive therapy for Parkinson’s disease, relief of symptoms of extrapyramidal disorders (parkinsonism) that accompany neuroleptic therapy

Question 5

Benztropine (A)

Answer 5

Actions- Acts as an anticholinergic, principally in the CNS, returning balance to the basal ganglia and reducing the severity of rigidity, akinesia, and tremors; peripheral anticholinergic effects help to reduce drooling and other secondary effects of parkinsonism

Question 6

Benztropine (AE-CI-DD)

Answer 6

AE- Memory loss, Mydriasis, flushing and decreased sweating

CI- narrow-angel glaucoma, GI obstruction, genitourinary obstruction, and prostatic hypertrophy, tachycardia, dysrhythmias and HTN, hot environments, and pregnancy and lactation

DDI- tricyclic antidepressants and phenothiazines