Medications for Parkinson's Disease
While there is no cure for Parkinson's disease (PD), symptoms can be treated with medications. There is no "right" answer as to when you should start or adjust your medication regimen. Work with your movement disorder specialist or neurologist along the way. Each person's medication journey is unique, requiring careful monitoring and adjustment based on individual symptoms, lifestyle, and disease progression.
Understanding your options empowers better decision-making. Here are some resources to understand medication options and how to manage medications effectively.
Medication Lists
Medications to be Avoided or Used with Caution in Parkinson's Disease
Published by American Parkinson Disease Association, 2025
This two-page educational supplement lists medication names, trade names, what it is used for, and in most cases the mechanism of action.
See also a supplement listing medications approved for treatment of Parkinson's.
Medicamentos aprobados para el tratamiento de la enfermedad de Parkinson en Estados Unidos.
Medications for Motor Symptoms
Published by the Michael J. Fox Foundation
This webpage provides a comprehensive overview of medication categories used to treat Parkinson's motor symptoms like tremor, stiffness, and slowness. It explains how different drug classes work, their benefits, side effects, and notes that finding the right medication involves trial and adjustment over time. The guide covers seven main categories including levodopa/carbidopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and others, with specific examples and recently approved therapies.
Carbidopa/Levodopa
Carbidopa/Levodopa: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Published by the American Parkinson Disease Association, June 4, 2024
This webpage answers common questions about carbidopa/levodopa, the most effective Parkinson's disease medication, covering topics like different formulations, side effects, dosing, timing, and managing treatment challenges like motor fluctuations and dietary protein interactions.
Medication Maximization in Parkinson Disease
By PMD Alliance, July 25, 2024
In this one-hour webinar a movement disorders specialist Aliya I. Sarwar, MD, discusses carbidopa/levodopa (C/L) and medications that are used in combination with C/L to reduce symptoms of PD. Also discussed are what to take, how to take it, and what to expect, how neurologists decide what medication regimen to try, and how to discuss modifications to your treatment with your doctor.
The Many Forms of Carbidopa/Levodopa
By American Parkinson Disease Association, January 8, 2024
In this one-hour video, movement disorders specialist Dr. Eleni Okeanis Vaou summarizes the many formulations of carbidopa/levodopa, including two approved by the FDA in 2024. Learn how doctors decide which formulation is best for you, when you should ask your doctor for a change in medication, what distinguishes the newest type of extended release capsules of carbidopa/levodopa from older versions, what subcutaneous levodopa is and when it is a good choice.
See also the related webpage, How carbidopa/levodopa is used to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
Physician Talks about Medication Management
Dr. Gilbert Hosts: Managing Parkinson's Medications
Published by the American Parkinson Disease Association, June 10, 2024
In this session of Dr. Gilbert Hosts, special guest Dr. Stephanie Bissonnette discusses medication management in Parkinson’s disease and answers audience questions live.
Emerging Therapies and Parkinson's
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, April 18, 2024
In this 55-minute conversation, Soana Mather, MD (retired) and person with young onset PD, chat with movement disorders specialist Michael Okun, MD, about emerging therapies for Parkinson’s, including continuous infusion levodopa, cell replacement research, repurposed diabetes medication, and more.
Managing Your Parkinson's Medications
Published by The Michael J. Fox Foundation
In this one-hour webinar, experts discuss the best time to start or adjust medication, how much you should take, and how to navigate side effects?
Treatments and Medications for Non-Motor Symptoms
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, November 2021
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorder specialist Aaron Haug, MD, shares some common misconceptions about using PD medications, strategies for choosing medication, side effects of the most common medications, and recent developments in treatment options for non-motor symptoms, including constipation, nausea, drooling, overactive bladder, orthostatic hypotension, depression, anxiety, REM behavior disorder, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, restless legs, cognition, hallucinations, pain and dandruff.
Your Role in Medications
By Parkinson's Foundation, May 5, 2021
Movement disorder specialist Ihtsham Haq, MD, spoke for an hour on recognizing medication reactions, how to differentiate ON and OFF symptoms, and how care partners can help their loved one with Parkinson's navigate medication issues.
Long Booklets about Medication
Medications: A Treatment Guide to Parkinson’s Disease
Published by the Parkinson's Foundation, 2024
This 60-page book (PDF) explains the types of medications available to manage motor and non-motor symptoms in the hopes that it will help you to work with your Parkinson’s specialist to find the right balance of medications to help you live well with Parkinson’s.
Managing Mid-Stage PD
Managing Parkinson’s Mid-Stride, A Treatment Guide to Parkinson’s Disease
Published by Parkinson's Foundation, 2022
This 44-page book explains why symptoms may get better and worse throughout the day and how to treat and cope with them. Find answers and read tips and stories that can help.
Financial Assistance Programs
The Assistance Fund (TAF)
This national nonprofit organization helps people with chronic or rare diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, afford necessary medications and treatments by covering out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Assistance is offered through disease-specific funds with income-based eligibility. Programs operate on a calendar-year basis, and waitlists are common; applications are processed in the order received. Because all waitlists expire in late December and reopen in early January, those still waiting at year’s end must reapply to maintain eligibility for the new year.
NeedyMeds
This website is a national non-profit that provides free information on programs helping people who can't afford medications and healthcare costs, including patient assistance programs, drug discount cards offering up to 80% savings, free/low-cost clinics, disease-specific resources, and medical transportation assistance, all accessible anonymously without registration.
RxAssist
This website provides a comprehensive database of patient assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies, offering healthcare providers and patients information on free and low-cost medications through searchable databases by drug name, company, or therapy class, along with practical tools and resources to help access medication assistance programs.
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
This nonprofit organization provides financial assistance to help patients afford their medications, covering more than 70 diseases and chronic illnesses through disease-specific funds, while also conducting advocacy work and patient education to accelerate access to affordable, equitable healthcare.
Last updated September 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.