Movement Disorder Drugs Mechanisms

Question 1

Overall, what are the class of drugs used to treat Parkinsons

Answer 1

-Dopamine agonists or anticholinergic

Question 2

What is the mechanism of Levodopa

Answer 2

Aka L-Dopa and acts at the dopamine receptors

Question 3

What disorder is levodopa used to treat

Answer 3

Parkinsons

Question 4

How is levodopa absorbed and get into CNS

Answer 4

Absorbed in the small intestine, and enters the CNS via the L amino acid transporter (LAT)

Question 5

What is the mechanism of carbadopa

Answer 5

DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor

Question 6

What are the side effects in the GI during Levodopa administration

Answer 6

Anorexia, nausea, vomiting (can all be reduced with coadministration of carbidopa)

Question 7

What are the CV effects during administration of Levodopa

Answer 7

Postural hypotension

-Hypertension if given with MAO inhibators

Question 8

What are the movements seen with administration of Levodopa

Answer 8

Choreoathetosis (intermediate speed movements) in the face and distal extremities

Question 9

When giving levodopa, what class of drugs is contraindicated due to a CV reason

Answer 9

MAO inhibators

Question 10

When giving levodopa, what class of drugs is contraindicated due to a eye problems

Answer 10

Contraindicated in glaucoma patietns

Question 11

What is the mechanism that Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors work

Answer 11

Inhibits the breakdown of levedopa

Question 12

What is the function of COMT

Answer 12

Metabolizes levodopa to 3-O0methyldopa, which then competes with levodopa