title: New options for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
abstract: New medications recently developed for treating Parkinson's disease include two inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), entacapone and tolcapone, which, by decreasing the elimination of levodopa, extend the duration of its effects. Increased 'on' time and less 'wearing-off' symptomatology can be expected with the use of these COMT inhibitors. Two non-ergot dopaminergic agonists (pramipexole and ropinirole) and a long-acting ergoline (cabergoline) are also being introduced. These dopaminergic agonists, like the ergot derivatives currently available (bromocriptine, lisuride, and pergolide), are useful as adjuncts to levodopa, and are also efficacious as monotherapies.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: LeWitt
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001577:Benzophenones / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D000077465:Cabergoline; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase / Q000378:metabolism; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D002396:Catechols / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004873:Ergolines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009570:Nitriles; D009596:Nitrophenols; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077487:Pramipexole; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077867:Tolcapone; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D001577:Benzophenones; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D065098:Catechol O-Methyltransferase Inhibitors; D002396:Catechols; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D004873:Ergolines; D007211:Indoles; D009570:Nitriles; D009596:Nitrophenols; D013844:Thiazoles; C046649:ropinirole; C071192:entacapone; D000077487:Pramipexole; D000077867:Tolcapone; D002394:Catechol O-Methyltransferase; D000077465:Cabergoline