Categories

How to Cope with the Side Effects of Parkinson’s Medications

Adapt the dosage of your medication

Your dose of levodopa may be the cause of side effects like dyskinesia. Find out from your doctor if you can reduce your dosage to the point where it will prevent adverse effects while still controlling your Parkinson’s symptoms. To find the ideal dose, some trial and error may be necessary.

A different choice is to switch to dopamine which is extended-release. The medicine reduces the spikes and troughs in dopamine that might induce dyskinesia by releasing into your blood more gradually.

Medicine may also need to be increased. Levodopa and additional carbidopa, for instance, can lessen nausea.