PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Abstract

It is generally accepted that levodopa drugs are the most effective means for the symptomatic
treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). With a long course of PD during therapy with levodopa
drugs, the clinical picture of the disease changes (clinical pathomorphosis occurs), levodopa
induced dyskinesias and motor fluctuations occur [1]. Already 2 years after the start of taking
dopa-containing drugs, the above complications occur in 50% of patients, and after 10 years - in
80–100%, they become an independent maladaptive factor affecting the daily activity of patients
[2]. Levodopa-induced dyskinesias most often manifest in the lower extremities on the side of the
body in which the symptoms of PD initially arose and in which the most pronounced
manifestations of hypokinesia and rigidity are subsequently noted [3]. Dyskinesia significantly
reduces the quality of life of patients, sharply limits their ability to work, and reduces their
initiative; patients are forced to change their usual lifestyle. In many patients with PD, due to
constant excessive motor activity, body weight decreases, disorders of the cardiovascular system
may develop, and generalized hyperhidrosis occurs. In some cases, patients with switch-off
dystonias develop a chronic pain syndrome, which may result in the development of affective
disorder.