Parkinson's Meds

Question 1

prototype for parkinsons disease

Answer 1

levadopa

Question 2

goal for trt of parkinsons

Answer 2

minimize symptoms - improve daily life - not curative

Question 3

s/s for trt of parkinsons

Answer 3

bradykinesia, postural instabilty

Question 4

2 neurotransmitters involved in parkinsons

Answer 4

dopamine (deficit) and acetylcholine (excess)

Question 5

drugs used for parkinsons increase dopamine, t or f

Answer 5

true

Question 6

awkward movements in parkinsons are attributed to

Answer 6

excess of acetylcholine

Question 7

how long does it take for levadopa to be effective

Answer 7

up to several months - stay with it

Question 8

levadopa over time becomes less effective, t or f

Answer 8

true - shorten dose interval

Question 9

how is levadopa given

Answer 9

po

Question 10

s/e of levadopa

Answer 10

n/v - while subside over time, take with a carb so it doesn’t compete with protein
darkening of the urine
can speed up malignant melanoma

Question 11

what do we want to avoid while taking levadopa

Answer 11

haldol (1st gen anti-psychotic)

protein (competes for absorption)

Question 12

dopamine doesnt cross the

Answer 12

blood brain barrier - leva portion is a mechanism to cross the blood brain barrier

Question 13

why is levadopa commonly paired with carbidopa

Answer 13

slows down metabolism of levadopa so that it could cross the blood-brain barrier for dopamine effect/benefit