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Parkinson's Medications 101

Parkinson's Medication

Medication plays a key role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it’s only one part of a broader care plan.  

The following article is based on a Parkinson’s Foundation  Expert Briefing  exploring how medications fit into integrated, holistic Parkinson’s care, hosted by Danny Bega, MD, MSCI, associate professor of neurology, medical director and director of the Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center neurology residency program at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence. Dr. Bega is also the director of the Huntington's and Wilson’s diseases programs at Northwestern. 

Understanding the Dopamine-Parkinson’s Connection 

Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder linked to declining levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that influences movement, memory and many other vital body processes. Other brain chemicals, including norepinephrine and serotonin, can also be impacted in Parkinson's disease and influence symptoms.  

As Parkinson’s advances, the number of brain cells making dopamine continues to decrease, and remaining cells struggle to store and release it. This leads to slowness of movement, tremor, rigidity and other motor symptoms. It can also cause various non-motor symptoms, such as constipation, loss of smell and thinking changes. 

Managing Parkinson’s 

Parkinson’s is a complex disease. There is no standard treatment. However, medications — along with exercise, comprehensive care, a nutritious diet and mindfulness practices — can manage Parkinson’s symptoms and help you live well.  

Establishing a regular exercise routine soon after diagnosis may help slow disease progression and can improve movement, strength, balance and mood. It can also help you sleep better. Staying social and engaged can reduce feelings of loneliness.  

Your care team is equally important. Look for healthcare professionals with expertise in Parkinson’s, including a neurologist, speech-language pathologist, physical and occupational therapist, social worker and other healthcare professionals, to help manage your PD symptoms. Be sure to attend regular checkups. 

The Role of Medication 

Most Parkinson’s medications work to improve symptoms by either increasing dopamine in the brain or acting like dopamine. Levodopa is the most effective drug for managing Parkinson’s symptoms. During the course of Parkinson’s, most people will take levodopa at some point.  

Anxiety and depression can also be common in Parkinson’s and can impact well-being even more than motor symptoms. Treating these symptoms using a combination of medication, such as an SSRI, SNRI or mirtazapine — a tricyclic antidepressant drug — along with therapy, stress management and staying active, can significantly decrease disability.  

People newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s often wonder when to begin prescription medication. Studies show there is no benefit in holding off. Most doctors agree you should start medication when symptoms begin to bother you.  

Because no two people experience PD in exactly the same way, treatments vary from person to person, as does the rate of progression. However, knowing the typical stages of Parkinson’s can help you anticipate changes: 

  • In the first five years following diagnosis, you may find symptoms don’t significantly impact your daily life. Your doctor might recommend a clinical trial. Participation in Parkinson’s research can potentially give you early access to new treatments, improve care and lay the foundation for a cure.  

  • Within one to 10 years, as symptoms begin to interfere with activities, most people with Parkinson’s can expect a long-lasting, steady response to medication.  

  • Between five and 20 years after diagnosis, it becomes increasingly harder for the brain to store dopamine. Your body’s response to levodopa can become shorter and less efficient. This can lead to motor fluctuations — "on" periods, when medication works well, and "off" periods, when medication wears off and symptoms return. It is important to work closely with your doctor to adjust your treatment and find what works best for you. 

  • After 10 or more years of living with Parkinson’s, a person can experience more significant issues. Some people can develop significant memory and thinking problems. Trouble with balance, falls and freezing, a temporary inability to move, can also become an issue. Your doctor can discuss medication adjustments or drug therapies or provide a referral to the right healthcare professional for your needs, which might include a neuropsychologist, psychiatrist, or a speech or occupational therapist. 

Types of Medications Used in Parkinson’s 

It can be common for people with Parkinson’s to take a variety of medications, at different doses and different times of day, to manage symptoms. This can include: 

Dopamine agonists: Early on, drugs that stimulate dopamine in the brain, such as pramipexole, ropinirole and rotigotine, can usually treat Parkinson’s movement symptoms. Dopamine agonists pose less risk for dyskinesia — involuntary erratic movements that usually begin after a few years of levodopa treatment.  

Side effects can include nausea, dizziness, sleepiness, confusion and impulse control disorders, such as uncontrolled shopping, gambling, eating and sexual urges. Studies show 28% of people with Parkinson’s stop taking dopamine agonists due to side effects, while 40% need to add another medication within two years. 

Levodopa: Levodopa, the most effective drug for Parkinson’s movement symptoms, replaces dopamine in the brain. It is usually given in combination with the drug carbidopa to reduce nausea, a common side effect. Taking levodopa with meals can also reduce nausea, but protein may interfere with the drug’s effectiveness. About 2% of people taking levodopa stop due to side effects, while 15% need to add another medication within two years.  

Dyskinesia, also linked to levodopa, can often be managed by a dose adjustment or through direct treatment, using a medication called amantadine. It works by blocking NMDA, a chemical that causes extra movement. Immediate-release amantadine is also sometimes used alone for Parkinson’s movement symptoms. There is an increased risk of confusion and hallucinations with amantadine use in people over 75. It can also be associated with leg swelling, skin changes and other side effects.  

Anticholinergics: The medications trihexyphenidyl and benztropine are sometimes used to improve tremor or dystonia — painful, sustained cramping . They work by blocking acetylcholine, a brain chemical tied to movement. However, their use should be avoided in people 70 and older due to the risk of confusion and hallucinations. Anticholinergics can also be associated with blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation and urinary retention. 

Medications your doctor might consider to improve the effects of levodopa include: 

MAO-B inhibitors: Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors rasagiline, selegiline and safinamide make more dopamine available to the brain. These medications can be used alone or in combination with levodopa to extend effectiveness. MAO-B inhibitors are generally well tolerated, but 70% of people taking them alone for Parkinson’s will need to add another medication within two years. 

COMT inhibitors: Medications such as entacapone and opicapone increase available levodopa in the brain by blocking the catechol-O-methyl transferase enzyme.  

A2A receptor antagonist: Istradefylline, an adenosine A2A antagonist, blocks adenosine at A2A receptors in the brain to reduce levodopa “off “time. 

Inhaled levodopa is often used with levodopa, as needed, for sudden “off” time. Injectable apomorphine can also be used on demand, for “off” time relief. Both medications can increase the risk of dyskinesia. 

It is important to work with your doctor to find the right balance for you. Your doctor might increase or decrease your levodopa based on your symptoms. For example, tremor, stiffness or mobility issues might benefit from an increase in levodopa. However, hallucinations, confusion and low blood pressure might improve with a decrease in levodopa. 

There are also strategies and medications to manage drooling, runny nose, sleep issues, gut issues, thinking changes and other Parkinson’s challenges. 

What if levodopa doesn’t seem to be working? 

If you are taking levodopa but aren’t seeing benefits, talk to your doctor. Here are some questions to ask: 

  • Is the symptom troubling you one that doesn’t respond well to levodopa? Could it be related to another health issue?  
  • Would you benefit from a referral to a rehabilitation therapist or another health professional? 
  • Could something be interfering with how your body is absorbing medication? Some people experience less benefit when taking levodopa with a high-protein meal. 
  • Do you have a condition that mimics Parkinson’s? 

It is also important to discuss whether your dose needs to be adjusted. For example, the effects of Sinemet, a form of levodopa, only last a short time — after 90 minutes half of it is gone. Your doctor might adjust the timing and dose of levodopa, use a longer-acting formulation or recommend taking your medications 30 minutes before or 60 minutes after eating a meal. 

Advanced Therapies 

If it becomes difficult to control motor fluctuations by adjusting oral medications, there are other options to improve medication absorption and reduce “off” time:  

  • Duopa therapy delivers carbidopa-levodopa gel directly to your intestine through a surgically placed tube.  

  • Foscarbidopa and foslevodopa (Vyalev) therapy uses a pump to steadily deliver a form of levodopa under the skin through a small tube called a cannula. A needle is used to place the cannula. 

  • Continuous apomorphine therapy (Onapgo) uses a pump to deliver continuous apomorphine through a fine needle placed under the skin.  

These medications require lifestyle adjustments, training to use and a commitment to good skin care to reduce the risk of irritation and infections. 

Options Beyond Medication 

More advanced Parkinson’s symptoms can sometimes benefit from other treatment strategies, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) — which involves surgically implanting an electrical pulse generator connected to electrodes placed in the brain to address Parkindeep-brainson’s movement symptoms and some non-movement symptoms.  

DBS might be considered for someone who:  

  • lives with classic Parkinson’s disease  

  • has symptoms that respond to levodopa  

  • experiences frequent motor fluctuations and tremor, despite consistent medication dosing 

  • has bothersome dyskinesia 

Following DBS, many people can reduce their medications and still experience a reduction of their PD symptoms. The reduction in dose of medication can lead to decreased dyskinesia. 

Focused ultrasound, a non-invasive therapy, does not require a surgical incision. During the procedure, high-frequency sound waves are aimed at a specific area of the brain connected to tremor to relieve Parkinson’s tremor. Unlike DBS therapy, which is adjustable and reversible, focused ultrasound changes are permanent. 

If you have questions about PD treatment options, contact our Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or Helpline@Parkinson.org. 

Learn More 

Explore our resources about medications to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s:  

Science News

Mainstay Parkinson's Medication Sometimes "Wears Off" Faster for Women

Parkinson's Foundation Science News blogs

Levodopa, which helps with the movement symptoms of Parkinson’s, tends to work less well over time, especially for women. 

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a condition that gets worse over time, impacting the nervous system. It's caused by the gradual death of brain cells that produce dopamine, a crucial chemical messenger for controlling movement. When these cells are lost and dopamine levels drop, people with Parkinson's begin to experience noticeable symptoms like shaking or tremors, muscle stiffness, a general slowness of movement and problems with balance. 

A primary treatment for these movement symptoms is the drug levodopa. The body converts this medication into dopamine, helping to replenish the brain's supply. By doing so, levodopa can significantly reduce the physical challenges of the disease and improve a person's daily life. 

However, for many individuals with Parkinson's, the effectiveness of levodopa can begin to diminish between doses. In other words, it starts "wearing off." Patients may notice their movement symptoms, such as tremors and stiffness, gradually returning before their next scheduled dose. 

Woman taking medication

Parkinson’s also impacts men and women differently. Men are estimated to be 1.5 times more likely to develop Parkinson’s. Women with Parkinson's are often diagnosed at a later age and may have slightly different symptoms. These differences between men and women with Parkinson’s could be due to a variety of factors, including hormonal differences and genetics. 

To better understand how these gender differences impact experience with levodopa, a recent study tracked 216 individuals with Parkinson's over a two-year period. The goal was to investigate whether men and women experience levodopa wearing off at different rates and to examine the symptoms that occur while on this medication. 

Study Results 

Participants included 139 men and 77 women with Parkinson’s who began taking levodopa for the first time at the start of the study. After two years in the study, almost 65% of women experienced symptom fluctuations, or times when the medication's effects seem to "wear off" before the next dose is due. This was compared to about 53% of men. This suggests that for many women, the medication was less effective in managing symptoms and did not feel as consistent over time. 

In addition, more women in the study developed dyskinesia, a side effect of levodopa that leads to involuntary, uncontrolled movements. About 14% of women developed dyskinesia compared to only 5% of men. Taken together, these results suggest that there may be differences in how levodopa is processed in the body between men and women. 

The study concluded that being female was the strongest predictor for both the wearing-off effect and dyskinesia after taking levodopa for two years. This indicates that gender is an important factor when considering how a person might respond to this medication. 

Highlights 

  • The study followed 139 men and 77 women with Parkinson’s for two years after they started taking levodopa for the first time.  

  • During the two-year study period, 65% of women experienced times when the medication's effects seemed to "wear off" before the next dose. This was compared to about 53% of men. 

  • During the study, about 14% of women developed dyskinesia, compared to only 5% of men.  

  • The study concluded that female gender predicted the development of motor fluctuations and dyskinesia more than any other factor.  

What does this mean? 

Women’s experiences have been historically underrepresented in PD research. This study adds to increasing evidence that men and women often experience various aspects of PD differently, including in their response to the PD medication levodopa. Specifically, these results indicate that women may be more likely to have worse responses to levodopa treatment over time compared to men. However, the reasons for these differences between men and women are still unknown. Additionally, it is common for both men and women to have breakthrough symptoms on levodopa over time.  

What do these findings mean to people with PD right now? 

Knowing that men and women may react differently to prolonged levodopa treatment can help healthcare providers develop more effective treatment plans for patients. While more research needs to be done, the findings from this study suggest that more tailored, “gender-oriented” treatment recommendations may be needed. If you are struggling with symptoms related to levodopa treatment, talk to your doctor to discuss your treatment plan.  

Learn More 

The Parkinson’s Foundation believes in empowering the Parkinson’s community through education. Learn more about PD and the topics in this article through our below resources, or by calling our free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636) for answers to your Parkinson’s questions. 

Videos & Webinars

Expert Briefing: Parkinson's Medications 101

September 17, 2025

Medication plays a key role in managing Parkinson’s disease (PD), but it’s only one part of a comprehensive care plan. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how medications work, their intended benefits, and common side effects. We will address the natural progression of Parkinson’s and the changes in medication regimens that may be necessary over time. By managing expectations, participants can build a more sustainable strategy for living well with PD.

Download Slides

Additional Resources

Presenter

Danny Bega, MD, MSCI
Associate Professor of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, A Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence
Director, Neurology Residency Program, Northwestern Medicine Parkinson's Disease & Movement Disorders Center
Medical Director, NM PDMDC
Director, Huntington's Disease Program, HDSA Center of Excellence

My PD Story

Katherine Headshot
Researchers

Katherine Surridge, PhD

2025 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Understanding the Consequences of Targeting LRRK2’s Different Forms To Improve Future PD Treatments 

Genetic studies of Parkinson’s disease (PD) have identified several proteins key to disease risk. One of these proteins is called Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2), whose job it is to regulate the activity of various cell processes.  

Genetic variants of LRRK2 can be found in 1-5% of all PD cases. However, abnormal LRRK2 activity is often seen even in people without a clear genetic link to the disease, making the protein a strong target for designing novel treatments. Katy Surridge, PhD, recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, is broadening our understanding of LRRK2’s role in cells to improve PD treatment development. 

Dr. Surridge working in lab

Like nearly all proteins, LRRK2’s activity is regulated by switching between an “off/open” and an “on/closed” state. The majority of research and treatments are focused on drugs that target LRRK2’s “closed” form, but evidence suggests that the protein’s “open” form may be a better therapeutic target in cells. Understanding how the use of different drugs with different mechanisms of action affects LRRK2’s role in cells is important for understanding both the normal function of the protein, and how best to target it for PD treatment. Dr. Surridge, under the mentorship of Samara Reck-Peterson, PhD, at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, has recently created tools that allow her to target and observe both forms of LRRK2 in cells, something that has not been directly studied before. 

“My research will use a newly designed toolkit of small molecules to study LRRK2’s endogenous interactome, localization, and the potential cellular consequences of therapeutic LRRK2 inhibition with different drug types” - Dr. Surridge 

Using these tools, Dr. Surridge will first explore LRRK2’s interactome – the collection of all the other proteins in the cell that interact with LRRK2. She will compare and contrast which proteins interact with LRRK2 in its open state vs. its closed state, highlighting which processes would be affected during different types of LRRK2 treatments. 

Next, Dr. Surridge will analyze the different pattern of modifications (phosphosites) on LRRK2 itself.  Evidence suggests that LRRK2 is modified differently in its different forms, and she hopes that by mapping these differences, she will identify novel features which can be used in both diagnostics and the design of new ways to specifically target the protein in future therapies. 

Dr. Surridge will then monitor how the protein’s localization within the cell changes depending on form. Previous studies have suggested that certain drugs may affect LRRK2’s localization in cells, and that this could impact other cellular processes. Dr. Surridge therefore expects to find closed-form LRRK2 in different parts of the cell than open-form LRRK2. 

These experiments will empower researchers to see and study LRRK2 in completely new ways, unlocking paths to new LRRK2-centered treatments of PD. When asked about how she feels about the fellowship and her upcoming research, Dr. Surridge said “I am delighted to receive this award from the Parkinson’s Foundation, which will help me to address a critical gap in knowledge in the field of LRRK2 cell biology, with potential to inform the future design of novel Parkinson’s disease therapeutics.” 

Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our My PD Stories featuring PD researchers. 

My PD Story

Yujie Headshot
Researchers

Yujie Fan, PhD

2025 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Creating Self-Folding Alpha-synuclein to Better Understand Parkinson’s 

A primary driver of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the accumulation and spread in the brain of a misfolded form of a protein called alpha-synuclein. When misfolded, alpha-synuclein forms clumps called Lewy bodies that clog up brain cells called neurons. These clumps can cause other alpha-synuclein proteins to misfold as well, cascading the disruption as the disease progresses. 

Despite decades of innovation, conducting in vivo research (animal experiments, as opposed to cells in petri dishes) of alpha-synuclein in PD has been challenging. Getting alpha-synuclein to misfold in a way that mimics human PD in specific neurons on-demand is difficult, but Yujie Fan, PhD, recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, believes she has developed a new tool to accomplish this task.  

Under the mentorship of Viviana Gradinaru, PhD, at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, Dr. Fan designed a new technology for creating what she calls “self-assembling alpha-synuclein" (SAS) molecules. These SAS constructs are made of normal alpha-synuclein with attachments that allow researchers to trigger misfolding in cells on-demand. The SAS technology also allows Dr. Fan to pick specific cells in which the misfolding occurs, such as the dopamine neurons in the brain most affected by PD. Importantly, this tool overcomes many of the limitations that have hindered other research models of alpha-synuclein in PD.  

Dr. Fan working in lab

 “This award supports the development of an innovative tool named self-assembling synuclein (SAS) to model Parkinson's disease in a quantitative, inducible, tunable and cell-type-specific manner.”

- Dr. Fan 

Once the SAS tools have been fine-tuned and tested, Dr. Fan will implement them in mice to see if they can recreate alpha-synuclein misfolding and clumping like is seen in human PD. Her early results in mice show that the SAS model faithfully mimics many of the movement impairments commonly seen in people with PD, suggesting that her tools are working as expected. She will then test how alpha-synuclein misfolding in the gut might initiate PD-like symptoms, following recent research suggesting that PD could start in the gut. 

Refining and building upon this SAS technology will grant Dr. Fan and other PD researchers the ability to study the disease in new, more precise ways. The groundbreaking data and insights generated from these SAS experiments can lead to improved treatments and advance the field toward a cure for PD. 

Speaking on what this fellowship means to her and PD research broadly, Dr. Fan said “This award gives me the freedom and confidence to pursue bold, yet high-rewarding ideas. The insights gained from this work could help identify new treatment targets and improve how we test potential therapies. Ultimately, this research aims to bring us closer to stopping disease progression in PD.” 

Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our My PD Stories featuring PD researchers. 

My PD Story

Tatyana Bodrug
Researchers

Tatyana Bodrug, PhD

2025 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Visualizing How LRRK2 Contributes to Parkinson’s

Several genetic variants have been identified that likely contribute to Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. These variants typically alter the instructions for constructing proteins, the building blocks of the body.

Variants of the gene that create a protein called Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) are found in 1-5% of all PD cases. Despite being the second most common PD-associated genetic variant, scientists are still unsure exactly how this altered LRRK2 protein causes or contributes to the disease biologically.

Tatyana Bodrug, PhD, a recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, will utilize a wide range of state-of-the-art microscopy and other visualization techniques to literally see how the LRRK2 protein acts in cells. By getting a clear picture of how LRRK2 interacts with other important cell processes, Dr. Bodrug hopes to advance the field toward more targeted and effective therapies.

Research suggests that LRRK2 plays a critical role in repairing lysosomes, the recycling centers of the cell whose dysfunction is closely linked to PD. Under the mentorship of Andres Leschziner, PhD, at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, Dr. Bodrug will first use a technology called cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to take incredibly zoomed-in, high-resolution images of LRRK2 as it interacts with lysosomes to see this biological process at a previously unmatched level.

“This integrative approach will reveal a deeply contextualized view of how LRRK2 is activated at the lysosome to better understand how mutations in LRRK2 lead to PD.” - Dr. Bodrug

This technology will also allow Dr. Bodrug to visualize what other proteins interact with LRRK2. Understanding the distinct biological components affected by LRRK2 could lead to new targets for PD treatment.

To investigate these components further, Dr. Bodrug will use a technique called dynamic mass photometry (dynamic-MP) to witness how LRRK2 associates with a group of proteins called “Rab” proteins. These Rab proteins are modified by LRRK2 and may themselves be involved in PD. This dynamic-MP technology allows individual LRRK2-Rab interaction events to be directly tracked in real time, an impressive technological achievement that is likely to advance the field.

By combining these various cutting-edge imaging procedures, Dr. Bodrug hopes to capture valuable insights into LRRK2 that could break new ground and lead to improved treatments of LRRK2-linked PD. Speaking on the impact of this fellowship, she said “Receiving this award allows me to more broadly explore the mechanisms that underlie Parkinson's disease. Our hope is that this will lead to a clearer understanding of the complexities involved in LRRK2-associated Parkinson's disease and better therapeutics.”

Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our My PD Stories featuring PD researchers.

My PD Story

Jeff Kim Headshot
Researchers

Jeff Kim, PhD

2025 Postdoctoral Fellowship

Leveraging AI to Decode the Genetics Behind Parkinson’s 

Parkinson’s Foundation research has found that approximately 13% of people with Parkinson’s have a genetic link to the disease. PD-associated DNA mutations affect the production and function of critical proteins, potentially contributing to disease risk or symptom progression. While many high-profile PD-associated mutations have been discovered in genes such as LRRK2, GBA, and SNCA, Jeff Kim, PhD,  recipient of a Parkinson’s Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, is taking the field further by using artificial intelligence (AI) to: 

  1. Understand how overlapping types of PD mutations can affect the chances of developing PD. 

  1. Dig deeper into the genetic data to find more subtle, hidden mutations that might impact the risk for developing PD. 

At first, genetic studies of PD were focused on finding rare single mutations most associated with disease. As techniques improved, researchers have been able to roughly measure the risk of developing PD by adding up the risk from multiple common mutations. However, “while we know that both rare gene mutations and combinations of common genetic variations can cause PD, we rarely study how these two types of genetic risk work together or change with age,” said Dr. Kim. 

Jeff Kim at lab

With his colleagues in the lab of Dr. Joshua Shulman at the Baylor College of Medicine a  Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence, in Houston, Texas, Dr. Kim is utilizing a new statistical tool called the “Causal Pivot Model” to better understand the complexities of PD mutation combinations. This model works on a simple principle: people with PD with rare single mutations usually don't have many common mutations. By looking at this pattern, the model can spot people who likely carry hidden rare single mutations that haven't been found yet. Dr. Kim is also building age into the model, since some mutations cause PD early in life while others strike later - this could help identify people at risk for early-onset disease. 

Once the model has been tested and trained on enough data, Dr. Kim’s next goal is to combine the Causal Pivot Model with an advanced AI model called AI-MARRVEL to identify hidden potential PD mutations, ones that have been overlooked in previous analyses but can be spotted by this powerful tool. These mutations can then be tested in fruit flies, observing if they cause Parkinson’s-like symptoms and leading to novel therapeutics in the future. 

Thinking beyond the data and computations, Dr. Kim is clear-eyed about the potential impact his AI-powered modeling could have for people with PD. 

“Ultimately, this project aims to move us closer to clinically useful genetic information that could eventually guide personalized treatment strategies for people with Parkinson's disease,” said Dr. Kim. 

Meet more Parkinson’s researchers! Explore our  My PD Stories featuring PD researchers.   

 

Fact Sheets

Pasos para prepararse para su cita de Parkinson

Empiece a prepararse al menos dos semanas antes de su próxima cita de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) para estar listo para hablar de lo que más le importa.

Utilice esta hoja de trabajo para elegir los tres temas principales para su cita. Considere completarlo con alguien de confianza para tener otro punto de vista.

Parte 1: Piense en cómo impacta el Parkinson en su vida

Anote sus inquietudes acerca de la EP entre una cita y otra. Puede utilizar un diario, enviarse un correo electrónico, grabar una nota de voz o utilizar una aplicación del móvil. Esto le ayudará a identificar sus principales preocupaciones antes de cada cita. Considere cada una de las siguientes áreas.

  • Salud física
  • Salud mental
  • Familia y amigos
  • Trabajo o finanzas
  • Tareas diarias
  • Gustos y tiempo libre

Paso 1) Síntomas: Reflexione sobre los cambios.

  • ¿Qué síntomas le resultan más molestos? ¿Cómo afectan su vida diaria?
  • ¿Qué cosas empeoran o mejoran los síntomas?
  • ¿Los ajustes del tratamiento de su última cita (medicamentos, terapia, dieta) le ayudaron?
  • ¿Sus familiares o amigos han notado algún cambio?

Paso 2) Metas: Considere lo que más le importa.

  • ¿En qué está enfocado ahora mismo (trabajo, familia, pasatiempos, viajes)?
  • ¿Qué actividades quiere seguir haciendo?
  • ¿Los síntomas le dificultan hacer las cosas que disfruta?

Paso 3) Inquietudes: Piense en sus mayores preguntas o inquietudes.

  • ¿Le preocupan los medicamentos (que su efecto no dure tanto, costos, efectos secundarios)?
  • ¿Cómo afecta el Parkinson sus relaciones?
  • ¿Necesita ayuda para encontrar recursos y apoyo para el Parkinson?

Parte 2: Decida qué es lo más importante para esta cita

Paso 4) Elija sus 3 temas principales para la cita.

Ahora que ha reflexionado, piense en lo que está afectando su vida diaria y qué necesita abordar cuanto antes. Termine esta frase:

"Si sólo puedo hablar de tres temas con mi equipo de atención médica durante esta cita, los más importantes son ______________.”

Paso 5) Escriba sus 3 temas a continuación.

Anote los temas por orden de importancia. Esté preparado para compartir su lista al inicio de su próxima cita. Sea lo más específico posible, incluyendo la frecuencia de los síntomas y a qué hora del día suelen aparecer. Considere llevar un video de los síntomas motores para mostrárselo a su equipo de atención médica.

Recordatorios importantes

  • Comparta cualquier síntoma que le moleste, aunque no sepa si está relacionado con la EP.
  • Lleve una lista de todos sus medicamentos, incluidos los que no son para la EP. Incluya la hora a la que los toma y la dosis (ej: 2 x 100 mg).
  • Si puede, pida a alguien de confianza que lo acompañe.
  • Aprenda acerca de los síntomas y tratamientos de la EP para hablar con su equipo de atención médica.

¿Necesita ayuda?

Comuníquese a la Línea de Ayuda de la Parkinson’s Foundation al 1-800-4PD-INFO (473- 4636) opción 3 para español o Helpline@Parkinson.org.

Nuestra Línea de Ayuda puede:

  • Ayudarle a prepararse para su cita.
  • Responder a las preguntas sobre la EP que no haya abordado durante sus citas.
  • Localizar especialistas, grupos de apoyo y clases de ejercicio para la EP cerca de usted.
Videos & Webinars

Resources for Veterans with Parkinson’s 2025

August 28, 2025

More than 110,000 U.S. veterans living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) receive care through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which offers access to specialized treatment, financial benefits, and dedicated support services. In this webinar, we’ll explore the wide range of resources available to veterans with PD through the VA system, including Parkinson’s Disease Research, Education and Clinical Centers (PADRECCs), affiliated sites, and Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs). Participants will also learn how the Parkinson’s Foundation partners with the VA to provide additional education, tools, and support for veterans and their families.

Presentation Slides

Additional Resources

Presenters

Gretchen Glenn, LCSW
Associate Director of Education
Corporal Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center​
Philadelphia Parkinson's Disease Research, Education, and Clinical Center​
Chair of the National VA Parkinson’s Disease Consortium Education Subcommittee

Helen R. Komninos (McHugh)
NSO Assistant Supervisor
DAV National Service Officer

Science News

Un estudio demuestra que permanecer activo en el hospital beneficia a las personas con Parkinson

Noticias científicas blog

Las investigaciones demuestran que las personas con la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) son hospitalizadas más a menudo, llegan a la sala de urgencias con más frecuencia y son más vulnerables a tener complicaciones durante su hospitalización.

El ejercicio y la actividad física no sólo ayudan a las personas con Parkinson a mantener o mejorar la movilidad, la flexibilidad y el equilibrio a la hora de controlar los síntomas, sino que el movimiento habitual puede ofrecer grandes beneficios en el hospital. Como paciente hospitalizado, el movimiento —a menudo con apoyo de fisioterapia y terapia ocupacional— es esencial para prevenir caídas y minimizar complicaciones.

Un nuevo estudio descubre que mantenerse activo (movilidad en el hospital) beneficia a las personas con Parkinson. Publicado en Parkinsonism & Related Disorders, el estudio apoyado por la Parkinson's Foundation examina cómo el Programa Move to Heal de los Hospitales Universitarios (UH, por sus siglas en inglés) ubicados en Cleveland, Ohio, un programa de movilidad en todo el sistema hospitalario que busca movilizar a todos los pacientes hospitalizados al menos tres veces al día, afecta a los pacientes con la EP.

Movilidad de los pacientes

La movilidad de los pacientes hospitalizados se refiere al movimiento seguro durante la estancia en el hospital (dentro y fuera de la cama) con la aprobación y el apoyo de un equipo de atención médica. Los beneficios incluyen:

  • Reducción de la pérdida muscular
  • Dormir mejor
  • Mejor concentración

La falta de movilidad de los pacientes de edad avanzada durante su hospitalización se asocia a una menor movilidad y a un aumento de la mortalidad tras el alta.

Resultados del estudio 

Para aprender más acerca de los resultados de la movilidad hospitalaria para personas con la EP, el estudio utilizó datos de pacientes ingresados al hospital por más de 24 horas entre febrero y septiembre de 2023, comparando 300 pacientes hospitalizados con Parkinson con 12,000 pacientes sin la EP. Cada grupo se dividió a su vez en un:

  • Grupo activo: tres o más movilizaciones al día. Las movilizaciones incluían rango de movimiento activo o pasivo realizado en la cama, sentado en el borde de la cama, sentado en una silla o en una silla retrete, de pie y caminando.
  • Grupo inactivo: menos de tres movilizaciones al día.

Los datos mostraron que los pacientes hospitalizados con la EP del grupo activo tuvieron una estancia hospitalaria más corta y una mayor probabilidad de volver a casa tras la hospitalización. Esto apoya las Recomendaciones de atención hospitalaria de la Parkinson's Foundation, que promueve que las personas con la EP se movilicen tres veces al día bajo supervisión profesional. 

En particular, todos los pacientes que permanecieron activos durante su hospitalización tuvieron un 50% menos de probabilidades de morir a los 30 días de recibir el alta hospitalaria y un 30% menos de probabilidades a los 90 días.

Estadística de pacientes hospitalizados

Los pacientes hospitalizados que se mantuvieron activos tuvieron un 74% menos de probabilidades de ser dados de alta para cuidados paliativos o de morir, en comparación con los pacientes inactivos.

En general, el estudio sugiere que la movilización frecuente disminuye significativamente la duración de la estancia y aumenta la probabilidad de ser dado de alta para volver a casa para los pacientes con Parkinson, en hospitales con programas de movilización.

Destacados 

  • La Parkinson’s Foundation se asoció con los Hospitales Universitarios (UH, por sus siglas en inglés) para comprender mejor cómo afecta a las personas con Parkinson el hecho de permanecer activas en el hospital (lo que se denomina movilización de los pacientes).

  • Los datos del estudio compararon a 300 personas hospitalizadas con Parkinson con 12,000 pacientes hospitalizados sin Parkinson.

  • Las personas con Parkinson que fueron movilizadas al menos tres veces al día durante su ingreso tuvieron una estancia más corta y fueron dadas de alta para volver a casa (en lugar de a un centro asistencial) con más frecuencia que aquellas que no fueron movilizadas al menos tres veces al día.

  • Los pacientes que permanecieron activos durante su hospitalización tuvieron un 50% menos de probabilidades de morir a los 30 días de recibir el alta hospitalaria y un 30% menos de probabilidades a los 90 días.

  • Ambos grupos que estuvieron activos (con y sin la EP) tuvieron estancias hospitalarias más cortas que el grupo inactivo, pero el impacto fue más significativo para las personas con la EP. 

  • Sólo el grupo de la EP activo mostró una mayor probabilidad de volver a casa tras el alta.

¿Qué significa esto? 

Para las personas con Parkinson, mantener la movilidad en el hospital puede significar una enorme diferencia a la hora de recuperarse y tener más probabilidades de volver a casa en lugar de a otro centro asistencial.

La movilidad en las personas con Parkinson es un aspecto importante del manejo de los síntomas de la EP, tanto en casa como en el hospital. Este estudio demuestra que las personas con la EP tienden a experimentar estancias hospitalarias más largas y a tener mayores tasas de mortalidad si no se mueven con regularidad en el hospital.

Para muchos, puede resultar difícil promover un movimiento regular y programado cuando enfrentan problemas de salud o complicaciones que los llevan al hospital. Este estudio apoya los esfuerzos de la Parkinson's Foundation para promover programas de movilización de los pacientes hospitalizados en todo el sistema, mostrando beneficios significativos para los pacientes y los hospitales, especialmente aquellos con la EP. Con el tiempo, estos programas pueden ayudar a mejorar la calidad de la atención.

Nurse assisting patient out of hospital bed

¿Qué significan estos hallazgos para las personas con la EP en este momento?

Cada año, más de 300,000 personas con Parkinson reciben atención en un hospital en los EE.UU. Sin embargo, se estima que aproximadamente una de cada seis personas con Parkinson experimenta complicaciones evitables durante una estancia hospitalaria.

No obstante, hay muchas formas de defenderse cuando se prepara para una estancia hospitalaria o la experimenta. La Guía de seguridad hospitalaria contiene herramientas e información útiles para ayudarle durante su próxima visita. Esta guía destaca cinco necesidades de atención hospitalaria, con consejos sobre cómo hablar con el equipo de atención acerca del movimiento dentro del hospital y posteriormente.

Aprenda más 

La Parkinson’s Foundation cree en el empoderamiento de la comunidad de Parkinson a través de la educación. Aprenda más acerca de la EP y la movilidad en nuestros recursos mencionados abajo o llame a nuestra Línea de Ayuda gratuita al 1-800-4PD-INFO (1- 800- 473-4636), opción 3 para español, para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas acerca del Parkinson. 

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