Levodopa is a drug that is absorbed by parts of the brain to create dopamine, which
transmits messages between parts of the brain and the body [6]. There are medications that can
be used to treat Parkinson’s disease such as dopamine agonists, amantadine, adenosine
antagonists, COMT inhibitors, anticholinergic drugs, and MAO-B inhibitors, Apomorphine,
Catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors, and Duodopa [7]. Dopamine agonists are prescribed to
treat the motor systems of Parkinson’s disease. Adenosine antagonists are a new drug class
which has been approved by the FDA which are primarily used to treat Parkinson’s patients [8].
The most common type of adenosine antagonist used would be caffeine. Adenosine antagonists
are useful in treating Parkinson’s disease patients. It works by blocking the adenosine receptors
so that it allows patients to allow for dopamine to be released [8]. This results in less motoric
symptoms in Parkinson’s disease patients. Anticholinergic drugs are used in treating Parkinson’s
disease patients to reduce tremors. They are drugs that inhibit the activity of acetylcholine, a
neurotransmitter, at the central and peripheral nervous system [9]. The most common
anticholinergic drugs that are used in treating Parkinson’s disease are benztropine, orphenadrine,
trihexyphenidyl, procyclidine, and biperiden. These drugs are intended to lessen tremors and
ease dystonia. Potential adverse effects from anticholinergic drugs are constipation, urinary
retention, blurred vision, and dry mouth [10].
