HOW DO DOPAMINE PRECURSORS WORK?
Dopamine precursors are a class of drugs used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
The direct cause of Parkinson's disease or Parkinsonian-like syndrome is the deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Antiparkinson medicines aim to prolong the action of dopamine in the brain by:
- Replacing dopamine
- Inhibiting dopamine breakdown
- Sensitizing dopamine receptors to stimulate dopamine release
Dopamine precursors are drugs that get converted into dopamine in the brain and restore the depleted dopamine levels.
HOW ARE DOPAMINE PRECURSORS USED?
Dopamine precursors can be used alone or in combination with other drugs to treat Parkinson's disease and its symptoms.
WHAT ARE SIDE EFFECTS OF DOPAMINE PRECURSORS?
Some of the side effects of dopamine precursors include:
- Swelling
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Ataxia (loss of control of movements)
- Bruxism (teeth grinding)
- Confusion
- Daytime sleepiness
- Decreased attention span
- Dyskinesia (uncontrolled, involuntary movements)
- Dystonia
- Euphoria
- Insomnia
- Fainting
- Fatigue
- Increased trembling of hands
- Insouciance (indifference)
- Memory loss
- Nightmares
- Nervousness
- Restlessness
- Trismus (spasm of jaw muscles, causing the mouth to remain tightly closed)
- Vivid dreams
- Alopecia
- Hot flashes
- Increased or dark sweating
- Skin eruptions
- Abdominal pain and discomfort
- Burning feeling in the tongue
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Dysgeusia (impairment in the sense of taste)
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Weight loss
- Dark urine
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible side effects, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure these drugs do not cause any harm when you take them along with other medicines. Never stop taking your medication and never change your dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.
WHAT ARE NAMES OF DOPAMINE PRECURSORS?
Generic and brand names of dopamine precursors include:
- Carbidopa/levodopa
- Duopa
- Entacapone/levodopa/carbidopa
- Inbrija
- Levodopa inhaled
- Rytary
- Sinemet
- Sinemet CR
- Stalevo
