Parkinson's medication and your diet
Find out how food, drinks and some supplements can affect Parkinson’s medication.
Side effects of medication can affect how you feel when eating and drinking, and some foods and drinks can also affect how your medication works.
Always follow advice from your specialist about when and how to take your medication.
If you have trouble swallowing tablets, speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse. They may refer you to a speech and language therapist or suggest a different way to take your medication.
Feeling sick after taking medication
Some people feel sick after taking Parkinson’s medicines. This may be worse on an empty stomach. This usually settles over time as your body gets used to the medication.
You may find it helps to:
- take medication with a meal or a small snack, such as a plain biscuit
- drink plenty of water.
If this does not help, speak to your GP or specialist. They may prescribe anti-sickness medicine.
Levodopa and protein
Protein from food can affect how levodopa works in some people. This is because protein and levodopa use some of the same pathways to be absorbed in the body.
Most people with Parkinson’s do not need to change how much protein they eat.
A small number of people may notice their Parkinson’s symptoms get worse, or that their medication takes longer to work or does not work as well after eating foods that are high in protein. This is more likely in people who have been taking levodopa for a long time and have motor fluctuations (such as wearing off or “on/off” periods).
If this happens, speak to your specialist, Parkinson’s nurse, or dietitian. They may suggest a protein redistribution diet.
What is a protein redistribution diet?
A protein redistribution diet means:
- eating most protein later in the day, usually at your evening meal
- having smaller amounts of protein earlier in the day.
A protein redistribution diet should only be followed with advice from a dietitian or Parkinson’s specialist. It needs to be carefully planned to make sure you still get enough nutrition and that your medication works as well as possible.
Do not reduce the total amount of protein you eat. Protein is important for your health and strength.
Levodopa and iron supplements
Iron supplements can reduce how well levodopa is absorbed and make it less effective. This includes iron tablets and multivitamins that contain iron.
If you take an iron supplement, you should take it at a different time from your Parkinson’s medication, usually at least 2 to 3 hours apart.
Do not change or stop any medicines without medical advice.
Indigestion and heartburn medicines
Some medicines used for indigestion and heartburn, such as antacids, should not be taken at the same time as Parkinson’s medicines. This is because they can reduce how well your body absorbs your Parkinson’s medicines.
If you have symptoms of heartburn or indigestion, speak to your GP, specialist, or Parkinson’s nurse. They can suggest the safest way to manage your symptoms.
You may find it helps to:
- eat smaller, more frequent meals
- avoid eating within 3 or 4 hours before bed
- avoid food or drink that triggers your symptoms such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, or fatty foods.
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Why protein is important for people with Parkinson's
Protein is the second most common compound in our bodies after water. All our organs are built from it, including our skin. It’s key for brain development, healthy bones and muscle repair. But what is protein? What types are there? And why is it important for people with Parkinson’s? We find out more.
Thank you
Thank you to the health professionals that reviewed this information:
- Kinga Topolowska, Senior Specialist Neurosciences Dietitian, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Vanessa Jones, Specialist Dietitian (Parkinson’s and CASOP), University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
- Suzanne Filon, Parkinson’s Nurse Specialist, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust
Thanks also to our information review group and other people affected by Parkinson’s who provided feedback. Read more about joining our information review group.
This content will next be reviewed within 3 years of that date. If you'd like to find out more about how we put our information together, including references and the sources of evidence we use, please contact us at [email protected]