FOR THE INITIAL AND LONG-TERM TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE (PD)
Managing Parkinson's disease at every stage
Parkinson's disease is a progressive, long-term condition that significantly impacts the lives of patients and their families13,33
- Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative condition that significantly impacts activities of daily living (ADLs)12,33
- More than 1 million Americans suffer from PD34
- Factors affecting treatment include concomitant conditions and treatments, and varying functional abilities12,13
- 60% to 80% of dopaminergic neurons are lost by the time of initial PD diagnosis35
When initiating PD therapy, it is important to manage motor symptoms while minimizing or delaying motor complications
Motor symptoms are caused by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the midbrain (ie, substantia nigra)13
- Motor symptoms of PD become more severe as neuronal loss progresses
- Key motor symptoms of PD include: bradykinesia (ie, slowed movement); tremor (ie, shaking); rigidity (ie, stiffness); loss of postural reflexes (ie, difficulty with balance)
Motor complications are a possible consequence of long-term dopaminergic therapy1,13
- Levodopa may be associated with motor complications sooner and more frequently than other dopaminergic therapies13
- Major motor complications of dopaminergic therapy include: wearing-off (shorter periods of time a dose of medication is effective); "on"-"off " fluctuations (periods when a patient responds well to medication or when symptoms partially or totally return); dyskinesias (involuntary movements)13
- Treatment strategies that minimize or delay motor complications may extend the therapeutic window1
Dopamine agonists: established efficacy for both early and advanced PD1,2,4,5
- Treat motor symptoms, tremor, and ADLs2,4
- Can help reserve the use of levodopa until patients need it most, which may delay the onset of fluctuations and dyskinesias of levodopa therapy1,5,13

