Parkinson's Treatment Flashcards

1
Q

Goals of therapy for PD include…

A

Reducing signs and symptoms, both motor + non-motor
Minimize complications of drug therapy
Maintain independence
Improve/maintain quality of life

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2
Q

Non-pharmacological treatment for PD may include…

A

Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy
Hearing, vision, dental care
Psychological support

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3
Q

Pharmacotherapy focuses on ____ levels.

A

Increasing dopamine levels

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4
Q

Cornerstone of PD pharmacotherapy is…

A

Levodopa

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5
Q

Levodopa is always used in combination with…

A

Peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor - carbidopa, benserazide

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6
Q

The purpose of peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors is to…

A

Prevent conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside of the brain - enhance efficacy and reduce AE’s

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7
Q

The BBB relates to levodopa and the decarboxylase inhibitors via…

A

Ability to cross the BBB. Carbidopa and benserazide cannot cross the BBB,while levodopa can, and gets coverted to dopamine via decarboxylase

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8
Q

Initially, levodopa treatment is universally effective for…

A

Bradykinesia + rigidity

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9
Q

With initial tx of levodopa, a response is usually seen…

A

Within days - maximal improvement in ~2 weeks

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10
Q

Levodopa is less likely to help with…

A

Poor balance, non-motor symptoms
Variable effect on tremor

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11
Q

Bioavailability of levodopa is decreased with…

A

Co-administration of protein, iron, and antacids

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12
Q

Dosing of levodopa should be ____ to prevent…

A

Tirated slowly, prevent nausea/dizziness

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13
Q

CR form of levodopa is primarily used at ____. This is due to…

A

Bedtime/overnight - has delayed and unpredictable onset

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14
Q

AE’s with levodopa may include…

A

Nausea, GI upset
Dizziness - orthostatic hypotension
Fatigue
Vivid dreams
Confusion/hallucinations (later stages)

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15
Q

Nausea + GI upset with levodopa can be minimized via…

A

Give with food, but be aware that protein decreases levodopa absorption which may become relevant

Refractory nausea = domperidone

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16
Q

Complications of levodopa therapy start to develop after…

A

5 years of treatment

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17
Q

Complications of levodopa therapy include…

A

Wearing off
On-off phenomena (fine one minute, drug worn off the next)
Freezing, inability to move
Dyskinesias; abnormal, uncontrollable, involuntary movements

Dyskinesia = twisting, jerking, twisting, writhing movements; affect different areas

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18
Q

Dyskinesias with levodopa result from…

A

Increased sensitivity of brain to levodopa as PD progresses; most common shortly after a dose

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19
Q

Other formulations of levodopa that were developed to address some of the oral limitations included…

A

Intestinal gel infusion
Subcutaneous infusion
Inhaled capsules

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20
Q

The levocarb gel infusion (Duodopa) is administered via…

A

Enteral - PEG-J tube, delivering low and constant doses of levocarb

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21
Q

Levocarb gel infusion helps with PD by…

A

Reducing off-time by ~2 hours per day, without increasing dyskinesias

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22
Q

Levocarb subcutaneous infusion administers…

A

Low and constant doses of levocarb; connected to a pump

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23
Q

Most common AE’s with the levocarb subcutaneous infusion include…

A

Injection-site reactions
Dyskinesias
Psychosis

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24
Q

Levodopa inhaled capsules are used…

A

PRN for unexpected off-periods or delayed onset

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25
Q

Dopamine agonists that we use include…

A

Non-ergot derivatives
Pramipexole
Ropinirole
Rotigotine (transdermal patch)

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26
Q

We do not use the dopamine agonists that are ergot derivatives such as bromocriptine or cabergoline because of…

A

Pulmonary and cardiac valve toxicities

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27
Q

Dopamine agonists MOA is…

A

Mimic effect of dopamine by stimulating post-synaptic dopamine receptors

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28
Q

Dopamine agonists may be used as initial therapy for these patients…

A

Young PD patients under 60, to “save” levodopa for later

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29
Q

Pros and cons with using dopamine agonists as initial therapy include…

A

Pros: less risk of motor complications seen with levodopa
Cons: Less effective for motor symptoms and more AE’s compared to levodopa

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30
Q

Dopamine agonists are not the preferred agents for older adults, due to…

A

Poor tolerability

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31
Q

Dopamine agonists may be used for add-on tx, when…

A

Motor complications develop if refractory/intolerant to other options

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32
Q

Dopamine agonists also have an indication for ____ besides PD.

A

Restless legs syndrome

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33
Q

AE’s of dopamine agonists include…

A

Nausea, GI upset
Orthostatic hypotension
Hallucinatrions + confusion
Drowsiness, sudden sleep attacks
Leg swelling
Impulse control disorders

Worse than levodopa

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34
Q

The only dopamine agonist that needs to be dose-adjusted in renal impairment is…

A

Pramipexole

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35
Q

Apomorphine is…

A

A very potent dopamine agonist, used for rescue therapy (freezing)

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36
Q

The two forms of apomorphine are…

A

Injectable (Movapo) and sublingual (Kynmobi)

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37
Q

Movapo is injected via…

A

Subcutaneous

38
Q

Notable AE’s and issues with Movapo is…

A

High incidence of nausea and vomiting; concurrent antiemetic recommended
May not be possible to administer without help of others

39
Q

Kynmobi onset of action…

A

Is slower compared to Movapo - may take up to 30 minutes to work; considered as adjunctive therapy for “off-periods”

40
Q

Function of MAO-A and MAO-B is to…

A

MAO-A breaks down NE and 5-HT preferentially
MAO-B breaks down dopamine and other amines preferentially

41
Q

MAO-B inhibitors MOA for PD is…

A

Increasing dopamine by preventing breakdown of dopamine

42
Q

Non-selective MAO inhibitors that inhibit both MAO-A and MAO-B are not used often anymore because of…

A

Strict dietary tyramine restriction - body cannot break down tyramine = hypertensive crisis, cardiac arrythmias

43
Q

MAO-B inhibitors lose selectivity at ____ the recommended dose

A

2-5 times the recommended therapeutic dose

Therefore no need to restrict dietary tyramine at doses used for PD

44
Q

Can MAO-B inhibitors be used as monotherapy?

A

Yes, for mild symptoms; but will be less effective than levodopa

45
Q

MAO-B inhibitors may be used later in disease course, to help…

A

Manage motor complications with levodopa therapy - wearing off, freezing

46
Q

AE’s with MAO-B inhibitors include…

Fairly well tolerated

A

Nausea, headaches, insomnia

47
Q

The two drugs that are MAO-B inhibitors are…

A

Rasagline
Selegiline

48
Q

A notable DI with MAO-B inhibitors is…

A

SSRI’s - possibility of causing serotonin syndrome
Unlikely to cause at recommended doses, so if warranted lowest effective dose should be used

49
Q

A COMT inhibitor is…

A

Entacapone

50
Q

COMT inhibitors need to be given with ____ because…

A

Levodopa - COMT inhibitor prevents levodopa from being metabolized to 3-OMD in periphery, so more levodopa can get into the brain.

51
Q

COMT inhibitors are used for…

A

Prolonging action of levodopa, once motor complications develop (wearing-off, freezing)

52
Q

Once entacapone is started, we need to reduce…

A

Levodopa by 30%, to minimize dyskinesia risk

53
Q

AE’s with entacapone include…

Fairly well-tolerated

A

Nausea, diarrhea
Discoloration of urine and sweat to orangey-brown color

54
Q

Amantadine’s role in PD treatment is…

A

Limited to treating bothersome dyskinesias later in the disease course

55
Q

AE’s of amantadine include…

A

Nausea, dose related
CNS - confusion, hallucinations
Peripheral edema
Benign rash on legs

Not as well tolerated in older adults due to CNS

56
Q

When dosing amantadine, we need to be aware of…

A

Dose adjusting in renal impairment

57
Q

The anticholinergics that may be used in PD include…

A

Benztropine
Tryhexylphenidyl
Procyclidine

58
Q

MOA of anticholinergics in PD is…

A

Decrease amount of ACh in the brain, which restores dopamine/ACh balance in the striatum

59
Q

Anticholinergics are effective mainly for…

A

Tremor - not really for other motor symptoms

60
Q

Anticholinergics are not used often due to…

A

Poor toleration in older adults - anticholinergic AE’s of worsening fall risk, cognitive decline, etc.

61
Q

For levodopa-associated motor complications, if someone is having issues with end-of-dose “wearing off” and has mild/no dyskinesia, our options could include…

A

Increase frequency of levodopa
Add entacapone
Add dopamine agonist
Add rasagiline

Consider tolerability and risk of dyskinesia

62
Q

For levodopa-associated motor complications, if someone is having issues with end-of-dose “wearing off” and is experiencing moderate/severe dyskinesia, our options could include…

A

Add amantadine
Increase frequency, but use smaller doses of levodopa
Decrease levodopa and add dopamine agonist

63
Q

For levodopa-associated motor complications, if someone is having issues with dyskinesia, with no problem with “wearing off,” our options could include…

A

Add amantadine
Decrease levodopa dosing, or increase frequency
Discontinue anticholinergics or MAO-B if patient was using

64
Q

If levodopa is failing, general principles we can consider

A

Take on empty stomach as much as possible (spacing from protein)
If issues at bedtime, add dose of levocarb CR at night
Tailor levocarb dosing to off-times

65
Q

If all routes of pharmacotherapy are ineffective for treating PD symptoms, we could consider

A

Surgical treatment - deep brain stimulation
Continuous levocarb infusion

66
Q

For constipation, we may recommend…

A

Non-pharm: increasing fiber, fluids, exercise
Consider PEG 1st line
Stimulant/laxative, domperidone

67
Q

For depression/anxiety in PD, they can be managed…

A

Similar to depression + anxiety in patients without PD

68
Q

We should avoid this antidepressant, because…

A

Bupropion - additive dopaminergic effect may contribute to restlessness, insomnia, dyskinesias

69
Q

It is important to frequently re-evaluate necessity of antidepressant use in PD patients and describe if possible, due to…

A

Increased fall risk
Contribution to orthostatic hypotension

70
Q

Orthostatic hypotension may be caused by…

A

Autonomic dysfunction related to PD
PD medications

71
Q

Orthostatic hypotension is important to treat due to…

A

An increased risk of falls, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic

72
Q

Non-pharm treatments for orthostatic hypotension include…

A

Ensuring adequate hydration
Eat smaller meals more frequently
Increase salt intake
Stand slowly

Taper/stop antihypertensives
Re-evaluate other medications that may contribute

73
Q

If orthostatic is refractory and severe, we could consider drug treatment with…

A

Domperidone
Midodrine (alpha-1 agonist)
Fludrocortisone (mineralocorticoid)

74
Q

Domperidone efficacy wise is…

A

Has the least efficacy but is the most safe as it does not cause supine hypertension

75
Q

Midodrine and fludricortisone usage is limited due to…

A

Safety risk of supine hypertension - dose must be decreased or stopped if lying SBP is above 160 mmHg

76
Q

Urinary incontinence may be caused by…

A

Autonomic dysfunction
Decreased mobility
Age-related changes

77
Q

For urinary incontinence, this treatment is preferred…

A

Non-pharm; pharmacotherapy only if refractory

78
Q

Non-pharm urinary incontinence management includes…

A

Regular toileting
Decreasing caffeine + fluid intake in the evening
Usage of assistive devices
Pelvic floor muscle training

79
Q

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by…

A

Autonomic dysfunction in PD

80
Q

1st line drugs for erectile dysfunction in PD are…

A

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors

81
Q

Sialorrhea in PD may be caused by…

A

Decrease in mouth movements and swallowing frequency

82
Q

Non-pharm measures to help with sialorrhea may include…

A

Chewing gum
Sucking on soft candy to trigger swallowing reflex

83
Q

Pharmacological treatments to help with sialorrhea may include…

A

Ipratropium spray to mouth
Atropine eye drops administered sublingually

Botox if refractory or issues with atropine

Anticholinergic to dry up mouth

84
Q

Non-pharm measures for insomnia may include…

A

Usual sleep hygiene measures
Ensure adequate control of PD motor symptoms at night

85
Q

Pharmacotherapy for insomnia may include…

A

Melatonin
Low-dose doxepin
Trazedone (risk of orthostatic hypotension)

Ideally these would be short term strategies

86
Q

If treatment of REM sleep behaviour disorder is needed, we could try…

A

Melatonin
Clonazepam

Remember all the issues with BZD’s in older adults…

87
Q

Excessive daytime somnolence is usually multifactorial, considering causes such as…

A

Medications
Sleep disorders
Degeneration of sleep regulation centers in brainstem as PD progresses

Exercising caution
Adjust contributing medications!

88
Q

If an individual wants to try a medication for excessive daytime drowsiness, they could try…

A

Modafinil - stimulant indicated for narcolepsy

89
Q

Psychosis in PD usually entails…

A

Hallucinations, usually visual
Paranoid delusions

90
Q

Hallucinations may not require treatment when…

A

Patient is not distressed
Relatively infrequent, not bothersome
Insight preserved

91
Q

If hallucinations are distressing, course of action should be…

A

Slowly discontinue medications that may be contributing (dopamine agonist, anticholinergic)
Avoid typical antipsychotics

92
Q

These medications could be used for psychosis + PD…

A

Quetiapine - less consistent efficacy, but has not been shown to worsen PD symptoms
Clozapine is efficacious but has significant AE’s
Pimavanserin
Cholinesterase inhibitors in PD dementia, but may worsen movement sx’s