Learning unit: Antiparkinsonics


Impact of the learning unit

Parkinsonism, along with Alzheimer's disease, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases.
Extrapyramidal symptoms, i.e., a typical symptomatology of this disease, may also be a
manifestation of toxicity or the adverse effect of other medication administered. Conversely,
administration of some antiparkinsonic drugs due to increased dopaminergic activity may lead to
numerous adverse effects, including neuropsychiatric. The aim of the learning unit is to introduce
students to the problems of pharmacotherapy of parkinsonism and extrapyramidal symptoms of
neuropsychiatric drugs, especially antipsychotics.


Important terms

antiparkinsonics

                dopamine precursors

                               levodopa

                dopaminergic agonists

                               pramipexol

                               ropinirol

                               bromocryptine

                               rotigotine

                MAO B inhibitors

                               selegiline

                               rasagiline

                amantadine

                antimuscarinics

                               orfenadrine

                               procyclidine

                               trihexyphenidyl

antiparkinsonic drugs combination

                DOPA-decarboxylase inhibitors

                               carbidopa

                               benserazide

                COMT inhibitors

                               entacapone

                               tolcapone

extrapyramidal syndrome as an adverse effect of drugs


Learning outcomes

Student mentions the drugs used in Parkinson's disease therapy.

Student knows the basic pharmacological profile of antiparkinsonics (mechanism of action, adverse
effects, indications and contraindications).

Student can explain the reasons for combining antiparkinsonic drugs.

Student can name examples of drugs inducing extrapyramidal syndrome.


Information resources

Rang & Dale's Pharmacology, 8th edition, 2016 - chapter 44: Anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs, pp.
536-545.

Study materials in IS aVLFA0822c and aVLFA08222p.


Exam Questions

Special pharmacology: Drugs of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's disease, dementia)

“Essential” drugs: levodopa / carbidopa