How to Manage Your Medications for Parkinson’s Disease

If you have Parkinson’s disease, you most likely manage some symptoms with medication. Managing your Parkinson's medications can be a challenge in itself, but the tips in the following list can help you stay on top of things:

• Carry a complete list of current prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Give a copy to your care partner as well.

• Tell all doctors of allergies or other problems.

• Ask the doctor:

  • Name of medicine

  • Purpose

  • Dosing schedule (how much, how often)

  • How to take and how long to take

  • Side effects

• Ask the pharmacist to:

  • Check new Rx with your current Rx and OTC meds for possible interaction

  • Print label in large print

  • Provide easy-to-open cap

  • Explain how to take med

• At home:

  • Add new med to list of meds you carry with you

  • Read and file information print-out

  • Take med exactly as prescribed