Side effects of Parkinson's drugs
The best way to manage side effects of your Parkinson's medication is to talk to your Parkinson's nurse or specialist about adjusting your treatment regime.
What are the side effects of Parkinson's drugs?
Side effects include:
It's important to remember that some things you think are symptoms of Parkinson's may actually be side effects of your medication.
Side effects of your specific Parkinson's medication
To check what specific side effects your medication can have, read the information leaflet that comes inside the packet.
We've listed some general information about side effects in our information about individual Parkinson's drugs
If you're under treatment for coronavirus and are experiencing side effects with your Parkinson's treatment, please report it on the government's Yellow Card website.
3 things to know about side effects
If you stop taking dopamine agonists suddenly, you may experience dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, with symptoms such as anxiety or pain. Get support from your health professional before reducing your Parkinson's drugs.
If the side effects outweigh the benefits of Parkinson's medication, you may decide, with your specialist or Parkinson's nurse, to reduce the amount you take. This is more likely with advanced Parkinson’s. Always get advice from your healthcare professional about this.
If you care for someone with Parkinson's, side effects of medication can be difficult and tiring to cope with. It's important to understand the different side effects you might notice but getting support for yourself is also key.
Most Parkinson’s drugs can have two names – a generic name and a brand name. But is there a difference between them? We find out.
Evidence suggests that excessive daytime sleepiness is more common if you are taking Parkinson’s drugs, especially dopamine agonists. Parkinson’s nurse Lee Kieft explains more.
When you’re diagnosed with Parkinson’s, your specialist may recommend you start medication to manage your symptoms. But together, you might choose to wait until your symptoms cause you more problems.
We find out more from Linda Moss, a Parkinson’s nurse.