Side effects of the antiparkinsonian drugs

1. Big picture

Antiparkinsonian drugs improve dopamine deficiency in Parkinson’s disease, but because dopamine also affects the psyche, autonomic system, sleep-wake regulation, gastrointestinal tract and movement control, these drugs commonly cause side effects.

The key exam sentence:

Antiparkinsonian drugs commonly cause drowsiness, sleep attacks, nightmares, hallucinations, agitation, orthostatic hypotension, nausea, vomiting, constipation, leg edema and drug-induced dyskinesias.

The most important clinical trap:

Treating Parkinson’s psychosis with haloperidol worsens parkinsonism. Use Parkinson-safe antipsychotics such as quetiapine or clozapine when needed.

2. Mai