Parkinson's Disease Medications

Several classes of medications are used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Treatment typically begins with a single medication and evolves over time as symptoms change. The choice of medication depends on the patient's age, symptom profile, lifestyle, and treatment goals.

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) guideline on dopaminergic therapy for motor symptoms in early Parkinson's disease, reaffirmed in February 2025, confirms that levodopa provides superior benefit compared to dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors. For most patients — especially those over 60 — levodopa is the preferred first-line treatment. Younger patients may start with a dopamine agonist or MAO-B inhibitor when symptoms are mild, while adjunctive medications (COMT inhibitors, amantadine, adenosine A2A antagonists) are added later to manage motor fluctuations.