Addressing a misconception that levodopa loses effectiveness over time
Experts say disease progression is actually to blame
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A few years ago, I accompanied my dad, who has Parkinson’s disease, to a neurology appointment to observe how his doctor interacted with him and assessed whether his deep brain stimulation hardware needed adjustment. The doctor asked if he was taking the recommended dosage of levodopa at the scheduled times she had suggested. He admitted he was not — he was taking less than they’d discussed, though still on a fairly regular schedule, with some exceptions.
At the time, I remember questioning his decision. Why wasn’t he giving himself the best quality of life possible? What was the benefit of keeping his medication dosage low? After talking with him, I realized he was trying to prepare for the future. He worried the medication might lose its effectiveness when he needed it most.
Dad’s mindset was actually more common than I initially realized.
Levodopa has long been considered the gold standard of Parkinson’s medications. But many people with Parkinson’s feel as if the medication loses its effectiveness over time. However, according to my dad’s neurologist and other resources, it’s actually the progression of the disease that increases the need for medication, not a loss of effectiveness.
Unfortunately, as my dad has experienced, increasing levodopa brings both benefits and drawbacks, including a higher risk of dyskinesia. While the medication can continue to help with symptoms like tremors in the later stages of Parkinson’s, its side effects often intensify. In my dad’s case, deep brain stimulation has certainly bought him more time by allowing him to delay increasing his levodopa dosage. Still, he now takes more medication than he did a decade ago, and his symptoms have progressed.
While I don’t think my dad plans to change his medication regimen anytime soon, I know that some people with Parkinson’s turn to other medications to avoid levodopa’s side effects. My dad adjusts his diet to reduce protein, since protein can interfere with his medication’s effectiveness. He works with a personal trainer and attends boxing classes to stay nimble, balanced, and strong.
Still, Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, and even with his best efforts, he continues to experience changes. I, for one, hope that researchers will find ways to slow the disease’s progression — or even eliminate it altogether.
Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
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