Emerging Pharmacotherapies for Motor Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second commonest neurodegenerative disorder in the older adult and is characterized by progressive disabling motor symptoms of bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity, postural instability and also non motor symptoms that affect quality of life. The pharmacotherapy of PD consists of oral, transdermal, and subcutaneous medications, as well as invasive advanced therapies at later stages of the disease. PD medications are often started as monotherapy but with the progression of the illness often there is a need to add more medications and frequently comprises of a challenging polypharmacotherapy. Adverse effects of pharmacotherapy often add to the problems of adequate treatment. Patients and physicians have to prioritize treatment goals on the most disabling symptoms and the safest and most effective treatments. Almost every year newer medications and modes of delivery continue to be researched and added to the therapeutic armamentarium. This review article outlines existing and emerging pharmacotherapies for motor symptoms in PD.