Pharmacological Management of Parkinson Disease Flashcards
What is the primary drug used to treat Parkinson Disease?
levodopa
What drug helps more levodopa to get to the brain before being it is converted into dopamine?
carbidopa
levodopa and carbidopa are manufactured as one pil called ____
sinemet
What is your main concern with patients who are on parkinson’s medications?
most medications cause orthostatic hypotension so monitory BP closely and be aware of increased fall risk
What is the negative long term effects of levodopa
becomes less effective the longer it is taken
What response to levodopa describes the drug’s effectiveness wearing off prior to the next dose?
end of dose akinesia
What response to levodopa describes the effectiveness of levodopa sudden and spontaneously decreases resulting in worse parkinsonian symptoms
on-off phenomenon
What response to levodopa describes when patients stop walking and appear to be frozen in the upright position?
freezing
What term describes when patients come off medications when they are no longer effective, or side effects become too severe
drug holidays
t/f, drug holidays tend to have minimal risks associated with them
false, have great risks that include immobility that can lead to DVT’s, PEs, pneuomonia and other impairments
t/f, dopamine agonists mimic dopamine and have few serious side effects
false, do mimic but most DO have serious side effects and are less likely to be used
What drug is usually taken with levodopa and helps reduce dyskinesias and other motor symptoms that can occur with levodopa
amantadine
Which drugs have been shown to be more beneficial in being used during early stages of parkison’s disease and have a protective effect and inhibit the enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain?
MAOB-monoamine oxidase b inhibitors
What is the peak time for levodopa?
1 hour after administration, for elderly pts, it is 1 hour after breakfast (max drug effect and lowest fatigue level)
