Side effects are a part of life when one takes medication on a consistent basis and that is as true for Parkinson’s disease as it is for any other disease.

Not all individuals react the same to medications and some people experience more side effects than others. Let’s take a look at some of the most common side effects of the most widely prescribed medications for Parkinson’s.

Levodopa (often abbreviated to L-dopa) has been around for the past thirty years and it remains to date one of the most effective and most popular forms of medications for Parkinson’s patients. This drug is particularly known for its ability to reduce tremors and to improve slowness of movement. The most often experienced side effect of levodopa is nausea and vomiting. Other side effects that are often noted are dizziness and dry mouth. With increased dosages some people suffer moments of confusion, experience hallucinations and in extreme cases, suffer a psychotic episode.

Mirapex, Permax and Requip are part of a successful group of drugs known as dopamine agonists that are often prescribed to Parkinson’s patients. Lesser-known drugs that fall into this category include Dostinex, Dopergine and Parlodel. Compared with other drugs prescribed for this neurological condition, studies have found that dopamine agonists carry with them an increased risk of involuntary sleeplessness. One such study, which appeared in the August 2005 issue of the Archive Neurology, showed that one out of five Parkinson’s patients fell victim to unexpectedly and uncontrollably dropping off to sleep at inconvenient times of the day. The sleep episode varied from person to person. Some were only asleep for a few minutes while others remained that way for many hours. This side effect, which is often a side effect with other medications but has a much higher incidence with dopamine agonists, could prove potentially dangerous if it took place when the patient was driving a vehicle or operating any kind of machinery.

Besides sleepiness, other side effects of dopamine agonists include nausea, vomiting, dizziness upon standing, drowsiness, and dry mouth. Many patients who experience these systems find that they disappear within the span of a few days. In some people taking dopamine agonists confusion, hallucinations and even psychosis can occur. Patients exhibiting any of these more serious symptoms should be monitored closely by their doctor.

Another drug sometimes prescribed for Parkinson’s is called Amantadine (brand name Symmetrel). The possible side effects of this drug include a difficulty in concentrating on tasks, insomnia, confusion, being easily irritated and hallucinations. It can also cause legs to swell and the appearance of blotchy skin on the legs.

Another group of medications prescribed for Parkinson’s are called Anticholinergic medications. This group of drugs includes Akineton, Artane, Cogentin and Kemadrin. The possible side effects of taking any one of these drugs include blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, retaining of urine and delirium. Confusion and hallucination sometimes occur in certain individuals.

Selegiline preparations for Parkinson’s disease include the brand names Atapryl, Carbex and Eldepryl. The side effects of these drugs included dry mouth, nausea, dizziness and heartburn. Less frequently experienced side effects include confusion, headaches, hallucinations and nightmares.