Treatment Options

At our center, we offer medical and surgical treatments as well as other therapeutic approaches which are highly effective in easing symptoms.

Medication

A number of medical therapies are available and effective in treating the symptoms of most movement disorders. Your team at OSF HealthCare Illinois Neurological Institute will work with you to find a regimen that best fits your needs and lifestyle.

  • Sinemet (Carbidopa/Levodopa)

  • Sinemet is a combination of two common medications used to treat Parkinson’s Disease: Carbidopa and Levodopa.

    Levodopa is a substance that is converted into Dopamine in the brain. This is the most widely prescribed treatment for Parkinson’s.

    Carbidopa works by preventing the breakdown of levodopa in the bloodstream. This allows more levodopa to enter the brain. By helping more levodopa get into the brain so that less stays in the bloodstream, carbidopa can reduce some of levodopa’s side effects. The most common side effect of levodopa is nausea.

    左旋多巴/卡比多巴(Sinemet)被吸收the gut—mainly the small intestines.

    Carbidopa/levodopa often helps with symptoms of Idiopathic Parkinson’s Disease – including slowness, and stiffness. Tremors can be resistant to levodopa.

    It is available in different dosages and in short-acting and long-acting formulation.

    Things to Know:

    • Take carbidopa/levodopa 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to a meal or 1 to 2 hours after.
    • Protein can adversely affect the absorption of carbidopa/levodopa.
    • Taking carbidopa/levodopa with food is NOT harmful, but reduces absorption and efficacy of the medication.
    • If you get an upset stomach, it is OK to take the medication with crackers or toast.
    • Let your doctor and pharmacist know of any other medications you may take.
    • The most common side effects include: nausea, dizziness, and hallucinations. Please let us know if these become bothersome.
    • If you experience dyskinesias (spontaneous, involuntary movements) that are bothersome, let the office know. You may need to decrease the dose.

  • Rytary

  • Rytary is a combination of two common medications used to treat Parkinson’s Disease: Carbidopa and Levodopa.

    This medication is a truly extended release version of carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet).

    Rytary is released from the capsule filled with beads and is absorbed into your body similarly to that of regular carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet). The Rytary stays in your body for about 4 to 5 hours.

    Taking Rytary will avoid the peaks and valleys fluctuations that can be seen with taking immediate release carbidopa/levodopa.

    You will start taking Rytary three times a day.

    Because of the way Rytary is formulated, the dose of levodopa is higher than what you have received before.

    Patients with early Parkinson’s disease experience a significant improvement in their ability to move and perform activities during the day.

    Patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease experience significantly less “OFF” time and more “ON” time without troublesome dyskinesia during the day.

    Things to know:

    • Preferably, swallow the capsule whole—you can take Rytary with or without food.
    • Do not chew, divide or crush Rytary.
    • If you have difficulties swallowing—you can open the capsule and sprinkle it onto a small amount (1 – 2 tablespoons) of applesauce. Eat the entire contents of the applesauce and the contents of the Rytary capsule immediately.
    • Side effects include: sleepiness, dizziness, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, low blood pressure, hallucinations, abnormal thoughts, or compulsive behaviors.
    • Do NOT quickly lower your dose or change your dose or suddenly stop taking Rytary without calling the office first.

  • Stalveo

  • Stalevo is a combination of three common medications used to treat Parkinson’s Disease: Carbidopa and Levodopa (which are the active ingredients in Sinemet) and Entacapone (which is the active ingredient in Comtan). Taking Stalevo will allow you to take one medication instead of two separate ones and may also help you to experience fewer signs and symptoms of wearing off.

    Levodopa is a substance that is converted into Dopamine in the brain. This is the most widely prescribed treatment for Parkinson’s.

    Carbidopa helps prevent levodopa from being broken down in the gut, liver, and other tissues. This allows more levodopa to reach the brain and also helps prevent nausea and vomiting.

    Entacapone (Comtan) will enhance the action of Levodopa.

    Stalevo is available in 3 separate dosage forms. We may only need this medication on an "as needed basis". Your provider will decide what's best for you.

    Things to Know:

    • Take Stalevo 30 minutes to 1 hour prior to a meal or 1 to 2 hours after. If you get an upset stomach, it is OK to take the medication with crackers or toast. Protein can adversely affect the function of Stalevo.
    • Let your doctor and pharmacist know of any other medications you may take.
    • Do not crush or break Stalevo in half.
    • The most common side affects you may experience include: diarrhea, dark urine, nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, and insomnia. Please let us know if these become very bothersome.
    • If you experience dyskinesias (spontaneous, involuntary movements), let the office know. You may need to decrease the dose.

  • Amantadine (Symmetrel)

  • Amantadine belongs to a class of medications known antivirals. It is unclear as to how it works, but Amantadine reduces symptoms of fatigue and tremor in some people with early Parkinson’s disease. It can also help with dyskinetic movements. The older you get, the less likely you are to be placed on Amantadine.

    Things to Know:

    • You must have good functioning kidneys to take Amantadine.
    • There are few side effects in younger persons. Older persons are more likely to experience constipation, confusion, and hallucinations.
    • This medication is usually taken at breakfast and lunch daily.

  • MAO-B INHIBITORS

  • MAO-B inhibitors act by slowing down the breakdown of dopamine in the brain, prolonging the action of dopamine and improving Parkinson’s disease symptoms such as slow movements and rigidity.

    Selegiline (Eldepryl) and Rasagiline (Azilect) offer mild symptomatic benefit, primarily in patients with early disease.

    In more advanced Parkinson’s disease, it may be used in combination with carbidopa/levodopa (Sinemet).

    Things to Know:

    • Side effects are infrequent. The most common side effects of Selegiline are: nausea, dry, mouth, dizziness, fatigue, constipation, insomnia and benign cardiac arrhythmias. Inform your physician if these symptoms are severe and do not go away.
    • Rise slowly from a lying or sitting position because Selegiline may cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). This is especially important when starting the medication.
    • Insomnia can be prevented by taking your last dose of Selegiline several hours before bedtime.
    • If an upset stomach (nausea) occurs, try taking food or milk with the medication.
    • Azilect and Selegiline are selective MAO inhibitors (MAO-B) and inhibit breakdown of dopamine, but not serotonin. The concern with Azilect and Selegeline and most drugs is serotonin syndrome, but as these do not affect serotonin, there is no worry that buildup of serotonin will occur; especially with low doses. Most of the warnings about Azilect are in regards to this, which is essentially a non-issue that was left on the warning labels due to the older MAO-I.
    • Other drug interactions can occur with Cipro (Ciprofloxacin), Demerol (Meperidine), Ultram (Tramadol), Inapsine (Droperidol), Flexeril (Cyclobenzaprine), and halothane.
    • Call the office or speak with your pharmacist if you are concerned about drug interactions. Often, we just half the dose or give every other day when medications are temporary.

  • Dopamine agonists

  • Ropinirol (Requip), Primapexole (Mirapex) and Neupro (Rotigotine) are dopamine agonists which work by mimicking the effects of natural dopamine. These medications decrease tremors, stiffness and slow movements.

    Dopamine agonists directly stimulate the receptors in nerves in the brain that normally would be stimulated by dopamine. Unlike levodopa, a dopamine agonist is not changed (converted) into dopamine when it enters the body, but it behaves like dopamine.

    These medications can be used in early stages of Parkinson’s disease.

    They also can be used in combination with Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa) in late Parkinson’s disease.

    Things to Know:

    • Rise slowly from a sitting position. These medications may cause a drop in blood pressure upon standing.
    • Sleepiness, drowsiness or sedation may be observed. Do not drive or perform activities that require mental alertness until stabilized on the medication. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.
    • Dopamine agonists may cause hallucinations or confusion. Let us know if this occurs. You may need a reduction in dosage.
    • Nausea and vomiting may be side effects of this medication. You can take this medication with food to decrease nausea.
    • You may notice swelling of your legs. Please notify us if this occurs.
    • If you experience dyskinesias (spontaneous, involuntary movements), let us know. You may need to decrease the dose.
    • Taking this medication may increase impulsive or compulsive behaviors. Examples include gambling, hypersexuality, binge eating, compulsive shopping, and punding (repetitive, aimless activity). Let the office know immediately if you experience these symptoms.

DO NOT STOP AGONISTS SUDDENLY. YOU WILL BE EDUCATED IN HOW TO SLOWLY WEAN OFF OF THIS MEDICATION.

Therapy

锻炼身体和耐力有反复en shown to improve symptoms and overall quality of life in patients affected by these conditions. Here at the Illinois Neurological Institute, we have physical, occupational, and speech therapists that are specialty-trained in the neurosciences. For example, we offer the and Lee Silverman Voice TechniqueBIG and LOUDprograms which are internationally recognized and especially developed to improve function in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery

For some patients, surgery is an option. OSF INI is proud to offer deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery as an option for our patients and our team is specialty trained in DBS. DBS is an FDA approved surgical treatment for Parkinson’s disease and essential tremor. Worldwide, approximately 100,000 patients have undergone deep brain stimulation surgery. DBS is commonly referred to as a “brain pacemaker” and two small wires are placed deep within the brain to disrupt abnormal signals causing symptoms of disease. A battery is implanted in the chest and the device can be adjusted to improve symptoms over time.

Although DBS is an effective treatment option for some, it is not for every patient. Patients with dementia or atypical syndromes are not typically candidates. The surgery is not a cure for Parkinson’s disease or essential tremors but can help to alleviate symptoms. DBS is a consideration for patients with disabling essential tremors that do not respond to medication or for Parkinson’s patients with severe tremor, medication induced dyskinesia or fluctuations in their response to medication. There are other indications for DBS including cervical and generalized dystonia.

You will work with our team to determine if you are a candidate for surgery. The process typically requires an evaluation by our DBS specialist, our functional neurosurgeon and a neuropsychologist. This is done to ensure you are getting the necessary and best care available. The surgeries are performed at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria and include intra-operative brain mapping and testing of the device. Our movement disorders specialists and staff are trained in the management of DBS after surgery is completed.

There is a process before scheduling a DBS procedure:

  • Appropriate patients will be chosen.
  • The patient will have maximized levodopa therapy.
  • Obtain neuropsychology testing.
  • Perform ON/OFF testing.
  • Consultation with a neurosurgeon.

Risks and complications can be discussed with your provider.

Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel Therapy (DUOPA)

Duopa is a prescription medication mainly used for treatment of motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s disease.

  • Duopa contains two medicines: carbidopa and levodopa.
  • Duopa is delivered by apumpwhich moves the medication from thecassettethat contains the carbidopa and levodopa through astomach tubeused to deliver the Duopa into the intestine from where it gets absorbed.
  • Duopa is a gel form of carbidopa and levodopa that is delivered continuously by a pump through a tube into your intestine for up to 16 hours.
  • The tube is surgically placed by a specialist through a small hole through the abdomen and placed into the small intestines.
  • Treatment will be started by programming the pump. The dose will be adjusted to your needs.
  • When you begin your daily Duopa routine:
  • In the morning, connect a cassette and start your pump. This will run continuously for 16 hours.
  • In the evening, disconnect the pump, flush the tube.

Things to know:

  • The pump cannot get wet, so you will have to detach the pump before you bathe, shower or swim.
  • If you stop the Duopa for more than 2 hours during the 16 hour dosing time, take oral carbidopa and levodopa as prescribed until you are able to restart your Duopa.
  • Do not stop Duopawithout talking to your provider. Sudden stopping of Duopa can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as fever, confusion or severe muscle stiffness.
  • Common side effectsare swelling of legs and feet, nausea, low blood pressure when you stand up too quickly, hypertension, fatigue, depression and mouth and throat pain.

Side effects include:

  • Drainage, redness, swelling and pain around the tube site on your abdomen.
  • Air or gas in your abdomen.
  • Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting.
  • Bleeding from your stomach or intestines.
  • Blockage of your intestines.
  • Inflammation of your pancreas.

Botulinum Toxin Clinic

除了医疗和手术疗法,OSFINI's Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center offers treatment with botulinum toxin. Botulinum toxin is an FDA-approved treatment for several conditions including dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, and drooling associated with neurodegenerative disease. Botulinum toxin blocks the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from being released into the space between the muscle/gland and nerve. This temporarily decreases the overactive contraction of the muscles or production of saliva from glands, allowing the patient to improve symptoms. Some patients experiencing pain associated with the dystonia may also experience improvement.

Despite the medication being a toxin, proper infiltration of the muscles at the correct dosages usually provides the desired benefit with minimal to no side effects. Our team uses EMG (electromyography) guidance to better determine ideal placement for the toxin. Your doctor will discuss the potential complications of the treatment before proceeding. Expected side effects during the injections include pain at the injection site, bleeding and sometimes, a small hematoma. Relief typically lasts between 2-3 months and repeated injections are needed to maintain results.