Pharmacotherapy for Movement Disorders Flashcards
under normal conditions the SNc favors the which pathway?
direct pathway
in PD the activity of which pathway predominates?
indirect pathway
___________ receptor activation appears to be most important in gating the balance of the direct and indirect pathways
D2
what are the 5 main strategies for PD pharmacotherapy?
- replace DA
- Stimulate DA receptors
- Enhance DA release
- Inhibit DA metabolism
- Alter DA/ACh
which drug is the single most effective treatment for PD?
L-DOPA
Which drug can completely ameliorate all the symptoms of PD, particularly during initial treatment?
L-DOPA
what is the MOA of L-DOPA?
replenishes DA Stores in the remaining DA terminals in the striatum
L-DOPA is converted in the periphery and brain to dopamine by what enzyme?
L-aromatic aminoacid decarboxylase (L-AAD)
99% of systemically administered L-DOPA is converted to dopamine in the periphery, and is principally excreted in the urine as what two substances?
HVA & DOPAC
L-DOPA has to be co-administered w/ what drug?
carbidopa
what is the MOA of cabidopa?
inhibits L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (L-AAD)
-prevents metabolism of L-DOPA to dopamine in the periphery (you want L-DOPA to remain unchanged so it can cross the BBB)
what are the two main benefits of using carbidopa with L-DOPA?
reduces the amount of L-DOPA needed by up to 75% & reduces side effects due to reduced level of peripheral DA
the GI and CV adverse effects of L-DOPA are due to what?
due to the response to L-DOPA monotherapy
what are the GI adverse effects of L-DOPA monotherapy?
anorexia, N/V, tend to decrease w/ repeated use
what are the CV adverse effects of L-DOPA monotherapy?
arrhythmias, tachycardia, ventricular extrasystoles, Afib, incidence tends to be low except in those predisposed, also orthostatic hypotension
the behavioral and dyskinesias are adverse effects of L-DOPA therapy with what other drug?
carbidopa
what are the behavioral adverse effects of L-DOPA combo therapy w/ carbidopa?
depression, anxiety, delusion, agitation, insomnia, hallucinations, nightmares, euphoria. (antipsychotics are used to alleviate this problem)
what are the dyskinesias associated with L-DOPA combo therapy with carbidopa?
chorea, myoclonus, tics, tremor
the adverse effects for which drug have fluctuations in response like a “on-off phenomenon”?
L-DOPA
what is the main drug interaction with L-DOPA, that causes an increase in L-DOPA metabolism?
vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
why is it not ok to give L-DOPA to pts on MAO-A inhibitors?
hypertensive crisis
what are some of the contrindications for L-DOPA therapy?
psychotic pts, glaucoma (angle-closure), cardiac disease, peptic ulcer, melanoma
Therapy with L-DOPA is often effective for how many years?
3-5 yrs (often delayed until symptoms of PD yield functional impairment)