"anti-levodopa" management approach

Last reviewed 11/2021

Physicians who suspect that early treatment with levodopa may accelerate degeneration of the substantia nigra propose a treatment regimen as outlined below:

  • selegiline:
    • is started at the time of diagnosis
    • has some anti-parkinsonian action but used primarily for its putative neuroprotective properties

When symptoms progress the following drugs are used:

  • anticholinergic agents
  • dopamine agonists
  • amantadine