There is no cure for Parkinson’s. But medicines and other treatments can help improve symptoms and quality of life. People who don’t respond well to medicines, or who have advanced Parkinson’s, should see a neurologist who specializes in this disease.
Medications
The decision to start medicines for Parkinson’s depends on how severe the symptoms are. It also depends on how much symptoms affect daily life and whether the person wants to take medicine.
Levodopa-Carbidopa
The most effective treatment for Parkinson’s is Levodopa-Carbidopa. These two medicines come in one pill. Together, they help replace the dopamine that the brain is no longer making.
Levodopa-Carbidopa works best for slowness of movement. It can also help with tremor and stiffness. However, it does not improve balance or some other problems.
Side effects may include:
- Nausea
- Sleepiness
- Drop in blood pressure
- Headache
- Confusion and hallucinations
After 5 to 10 years of taking this medicine, other problems can occur. These include uncontrolled, involuntary movements called “dyskinesias.” Another long-term problem is the “wearing off” or “on-off” effect, when the medicine wears off before the next dose is due.
Avoid eating high-protein foods at the same time you take Levodopa-Carbidopa. Protein reduces how well the body absorbs the medicine. Eat your protein between doses instead.
Other Medications
Other medicines used to treat movement symptoms of Parkinson’s include:
- Monoamine oxidase B (MAO B) Inhibitors. These medicines raise dopamine levels in the brain by slowing its breakdown.
- Catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors. These medicines help Levodopa-Carbidopa work longer and better. They are used when Levodopa-Carbidopa wears off before the next dose.
- In 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new type of enzyme inhibitor called the adenosine A2A antagonist istradefylline. It can help control movement symptoms in people already taking other Parkinson’s medicines. Common side effects include dyskinesias, dizziness, constipation, and hallucinations.
- Dopamine Agonists. These medicines act like dopamine in the brain to help with movement.
- Anticholinergics. These are sometimes used for people with more advanced Parkinson’s, especially those with tremor. However, they are not recommended for older adults because they can cause trouble urinating, constipation, confusion, memory problems, and falls.
- Amantadine. This antiviral medicine was originally made to prevent the flu. It can also help mild movement symptoms in Parkinson’s. It is generally not recommended for older adults because it can cause confusion and hallucinations.
Never stop or change your medicines without talking to your healthcare provider first.
After 5 years of treatment, half of people with Parkinson’s find that medicines are less effective, or that they develop dyskinesia side effects.
Surgery
A surgery called deep brain stimulation (DBS) may help people who don’t benefit from medicines or have serious side effects. During surgery, a surgeon places small wires into a part of the brain that controls movement. The wires connect to a small device placed under the skin near the collarbone — similar to a pacemaker. The device sends electrical signals to the brain to reduce abnormal movements.
Up to 5 percent of patients who have this surgery may have complications including infection, bleeding in the brain, seizures, thinking or speech problems, higher fall risk, or death. While there is no strict age limit, this surgery is usually not done in people older than 80.
Treatment of Non-Motor Symptoms
Treatment can also help with common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s, including:
- Depression, which may improve with antidepressant medicines such as SSRIs
- Sleep problems may get better with better sleep habits. Treating pain or frequent urination that disrupts sleep can also help. Conditions like restless leg syndrome can also be treated.
- Dementia symptoms may improve with certain medicines. Some of these medicines are approved specifically for dementia in Parkinson’s.
- Hallucinations can sometimes be helped by lowering the dose of Parkinson’s medicines. If symptoms are serious, certain antipsychotic medicines that don’t make movement symptoms worse may be used.
Last Updated May 2026