• Adenosine A2A antagonists: The adenosine A2A receptor is a new target in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. This group of circuits in the brain are associated with underlying problems that result in Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Adenosine A2A antagonists block the adenosine A2A receptor, resulting in symptom improvement.
• Carbidopa/levodopa: Levodopa is a common medication for Parkinson's disease that has been used since the late 1960s. It is combined with carbidopa to prevent nausea and vomiting. Currently, this combination of medications is the gold standard in drug therapy for Parkinson's disease treatment.
• COMT inhibitors: Catechol-o-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors are used only in combination with levodopa to prolong the drug's effects. When used alone, these drugs have no direct effect on Parkinson's disease symptoms.
• Dopamine agonists: Dopamine is the chemical responsible for smooth, normal muscle movements. Dopamine agonists mimic dopamine to trick the brain into thinking it is receiving the dopamine it needs. This provides relief from Parkinson's disease symptoms.
• MAO-B inhibitors: Monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) is an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. MAO-B inhibitors block this effect so that more dopamine is available to the brain, thereby improving the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
• NMDA antagonists: Stimulating glutamate (NMDA) receptors helps slow the progression of Parkinson's disease. Medications called NMDA antagonists have shown promising in reversing motor symptoms, levodopa-induced dyskinesias and neurodegeneration.
• On-demand drug therapies for off episodes
• APOKYN: APOKYN is an injection used to help control body movements in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease, or hypomobility (off episodes). Off episodes often cause symptoms like muscle stiffness, slow movements and difficulty starting movements.
• Apomorphine hydrochloride sublingual film (KYNMOBI): KYNMOBI is a medication that treats short-term, intermittent off episodes for people with Parkinson's disease. The first drug of its kind, KYNMOBI is placed under the tongue to dissolve over a 3-minute period.
• Levodopa inhalation therapy: People taking carbidopa/levodopa and experiencing the return of Parkinson's disease symptoms may benefit from levodopa inhalation therapy. This treatment is delivered through an inhaler and is used between regular doses of medication to help treat the return of Parkinson’s symptoms. In some cases, motor symptoms have been shown to improve in as soon as 10 minutes.