Parkinson's Disease - Surgery

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Highlights	Symptoms	Surgery
Introduction	Diagnosis	Lifestyle Changes
Causes	Treatment	Resources
Risk Factors	Levadopa (L-dopa)	References
Complications	Other Medications

Catechol-O-Methyl Transferase (COMT) Inhibitors

Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors increase concentrations of existing dopamine in the brain. Entacapone (Comtan, Stalevo) is the current standard COMT inhibitor. (Stalevo combines entacapone and levodopa into a single pill.) It improves motor fluctuations related to the wearing-off effect and has shown good results in improving on time and reducing the requirements for L-dopa. If the patient does not respond to the drug within 3 weeks, it should be withdrawn. No one should withdraw abruptly from these drugs.

Side Effects. Side effects may include:

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Involuntary muscle movements
Mental confusion and hallucinations
Cramps, nausea, and vomiting
Insomnia
Headache
Urine discoloration (a harmless side effect but should be reported to the doctor)
Diarrhea
Less commonly, constipation, susceptibility to respiratory infection, sweating, dry mouth

Of major concern are reports of a few deaths from liver damage in patients taking the COMT inhibitor tolcapone (Tasmar). The drug has been taken off the market in many countries and is recommended in the U.S. only for patients who cannot tolerate other drugs. Entacapone does not appear to have the same effects on the liver and does not require monitoring. Still, patients should watch out for symptoms of liver damage, including jaundice (yellowish skin), fatigue, and loss of appetite. The FDA is currently investigating whether Stavelo increases the risk of prostate cancer.

Jaundice is a condition produced when excess amounts of bilirubin circulating in the bloodstream dissolve in the subcutaneous fat (the layer of fat just beneath the skin), causing a yellowish appearance of the skin and the whites of the eyes. With the exception of normal newborn jaundice in the first week of life, all other jaundice indicate pigment overload (from excessive breakdown of red blood cells), damage to the liver, or inability to move bilirubin from the liver through the biliary tract to the gut.

Anticholinergic Drugs

Anticholinergics were the first drugs used for PD, but have largely been replaced by dopamine drugs. They are generally used only to control tremor in the early stages. They are not as effective against bradykinesia and posture problems and may increase the risk for dementia in late stages. Among the many anticholinergics are trihexyphenidyl (Artane, Trihexy), benztropine (Cogentin), biperiden (Akineton), procyclidine (Kemadrin), and ethopropazine (Parisdol). Orphenadrine (Norflex) is a drug with anticholinergic properties, but is also a muscle relaxant and does not cause urinary retention.

Side Effects. Anticholinergics commonly cause dryness of the mouth (which can actually be an advantage in some people who experience drooling). Other side effects are nausea, urinary retention, blurred vision, and constipation. These drugs can increase heart rate and worsen constipation. Anticholinergics can sometimes cause significant mental problems, including memory loss, confusion, and even hallucinations. People with glaucoma should use these drugs with caution.