Treatment challenges of Parkinson’s disease
MAY AFFECT how you live your life

I've increased the dose of my meds, but now I'm having new symptoms.

TREATMENT EFFECTIVENESS MAY DECREASE WITH PARKINSON'S OVER TIME

ON time

refers to time periods when levodopa for Parkinson’s is more effective and symptoms are managed.

OFF time

is when the effects of levodopa wear off and symptoms return or get worse.

Motor fluctuations with Parkinson's

are the periods of time when people experience the shift from ON time to OFF time. Since levodopa treatment effectiveness usually decreases the longer someone has Parkinson's, over time people may experience more motor fluctuation symptoms.

Learn more about motor fluctuations

YOUR BODY'S RESPONSE TO LEVODOPA MAY BECOME LESS PREDICTABLE OVER TIME

While orally delivered levodopa is the primary treatment for Parkinson’s, your medication may change, and your doctor may adjust your levodopa dose to help manage your motor fluctuations—but this may create new challenges.

TALKING WITH YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT MEDICATIONS THAT MAY HELP

If you have Parkinson’s, it’s important to work with your doctor to find the right medication(s) for you. While levodopa is a primary treatment, there are other types of medication your doctor may prescribe. As always, your doctor should be your main source of information about the latest options and if they’re right for you.

DEALING WITH THE PARKINSON’S TREATMENT “PILL BURDEN”

“Pill burden” refers to the number of medications someone has to take. Parkinson's often requires many medications to address motor symptoms (like tremors and stiffness) and non-motor symptoms (like mood changes and sleep problems). Over time, more medications or dose adjustments may be needed. This can mean more pills.

The pill burden of Parkinson’s can be challenging because it may:

Make medication schedules more complicated
Increase the possibility of multiple-medication side effects
Increase the chance of someone forgetting to take their treatment

Why it may be important to work with a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS)

Your doctor may add an MDS to your care team. An MDS is a neurologist with special training in Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. They have extensive knowledge about the latest Parkinson’s treatment, including how to manage motor fluctuation symptoms. They’re also up-to-date on the latest Parkinson’s research. So an MDS can work within your care team to help determine the best treatment plan for you.

MANY PEOPLE SUFFER WITH PARKINSON'S

If you or your loved one has Parkinson’s, you’re not alone. A 2022 study supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and other community organizations concluded that:

Nearly 90,000 people over 65 years old in the US are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year
This is much greater than the 60,000 people per year estimated by previous studies
Men over 65 are 1.7X more likely to develop Parkinson’s than women over 65^{a (see footnote)}

Most cases occur without a known genetic cause, but about 15% of people with Parkinson's have a family history, suggesting a genetic component. Researchers continue to investigate why some people are more susceptible than others.

We are committed to supporting people living with Parkinson’s

At Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma America, Inc. (MTPA), we’re proud to help expand the understanding of Parkinson’s worldwide. Here are links to some advocacy organizations devoted to the lives of people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones:

American Parkinson Disease Association

Davis Phinney

The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Parkinson’s Foundation

PMD Alliance

World Parkinson Coalition

The third-party resources cited above are for the reader's information only. MTPA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content included in these resources.

The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.

^aThis ratio is based on the Medicare population which is different than the ratios found in the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study or the Rochester Epidemiology Project. Return to content

Treatment challenges of Parkinson’s disease MAY AFFECT how you live your life