How to organize medication intake for Parkinson’s disease
Taking antiparkinsonian medications is prescribed according to a specific regimen. Poor adherence to therapy leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment. To ensure that you or your loved one receives medication on schedule, it is necessary to maintain the regimen and prescriptions from your Parkinson’s specialist. In this article, we will provide you with tips on organizing the intake of antiparkinsonian medications.
- Regularly keep a list of medications you are taking and bring it with you when visiting the doctor. Help your relative with Parkinson’s disease organize a convenient form for their records. The list must include the following items: medication name, dosage, frequency, and method of administration. If you are taking medications for another condition, they should also be noted in the list according to the above principle.
- Store prescribed medications in a pill organizer with a secure lid. We recommend purchasing a pill container with a removable strip so that the daily dosage can be easily taken with you when leaving the house. Arrange all medications in the containers, including over-the-counter ones, not just those related to anti-parkinsonian treatment.
- Set a reminder for taking your medication. You can ask for help from loved ones to set up a convenient timer on your mobile phone or purchase a watch with a vibrating alarm.
- It should be remembered that a person with Parkinson’s disease may experience memory impairment, so close ones should carry the medication the person takes.
- Consult a Parkinson’s specialist before independently adding new medications and over-the-counter supplements. If a person with Parkinson’s disease is taking MAO-B inhibitors (selegiline), some over-the-counter medications and supplements may be incompatible for combined use and may have a range of side effects.
- Do not abruptly stop taking Parkinson’s disease medications for an extended period due to the risk of complications such as an akinetic crisis. If you need to adjust the dosage, our center’s neurologists specializing in Parkinson’s can assist you.