Parkinson's Disease
9 medicines
Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition in which the brain gradually loses the cells that produce dopamine, making movement harder to initiate and control. Levodopa remains the most effective treatment.
Sinemet Cr
Carbidopa, Levodopa
25/100mg
Sinemet Cr is a neurology medication containing Carbidopa + Levodopa, available as 25/100mg tablets.
Key facts
- Parkinson's disease develops when nerve cells in the brain's substantia nigra gradually stop producing dopamine, the chemical messenger that coordinates smooth, controlled movement.
- The four cardinal signs are resting tremor, muscle rigidity, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), and postural instability, usually starting on one side of the body.
- Levodopa, almost always combined with carbidopa, is the most effective motor treatment. Dopamine agonists like pramipexole and ropinirole are alternatives or add-ons.
- Regular exercise, physiotherapy, and speech therapy help maintain independence alongside medicine, since no current treatment reverses the underlying cell loss.
How Parkinson's disease shows up
The most recognisable signs are the four cardinal motor features: a resting tremor (often in one hand first), muscle rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural instability. Symptoms usually begin on one side of the body and spread over years. Non-motor features, including sleep disturbances, constipation, a reduced sense of smell, and mood changes, often appear before the tremor is noticed and can affect daily life as much as the movement problems do. Prevalence rises steeply with age, and Parkinson's is one of the more common neurology diagnoses in older adults.
Restoring dopamine: the core of treatment
Because the underlying problem is dopamine deficiency, most treatments aim to raise or mimic dopamine activity in the brain. Levodopa, the amino-acid precursor to dopamine, remains the most effective motor treatment available. It is almost always paired with carbidopa, which stops levodopa being broken down in the bloodstream before it reaches the brain, reducing side effects and allowing lower doses.
Dopamine agonists such as pramipexole and ropinirole activate dopamine receptors directly and are often used in earlier stages or alongside levodopa. Older agonists like bromocriptine and the MAO-B inhibitor selegiline remain in use for specific situations, particularly where a longer symptom-free period before levodopa is preferred or where "wearing off" effects need managing.
Living with Parkinson's
No current medicine reverses the underlying cell loss, so self-care alongside medication matters considerably. Regular aerobic exercise and physiotherapy have good evidence for slowing functional decline and improving balance, and mind-body practices such as tai chi have shown particular benefit for balance and fall prevention in several trials. A balanced diet, consistent sleep, and speech therapy (for those experiencing reduced voice volume) each contribute to maintaining independence over time.
If mood changes, severe anxiety, or feelings of hopelessness develop alongside motor symptoms, these deserve medical attention in their own right: depression is common in Parkinson's and treatable.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.