Quiz Form

Question Date: 29/09/2023

Question: A 57-year-old woman is referred for evaluation of abnormal movements. She was diagnosed with Parkinson disease 5 years ago by her family physician and has been maintained on levodopa for the past 4 years with escalating dose adjustments. Although her Parkinson disease is under good control, she has recently developed occasional unwanted movements of her arms and legs that have been bothersome to her. She is an accountant and feels that the movements interfere with her relationship with her clients <br><br>Which of the following medications should be considered to reduce these movements?

Options:

• Amantadine
• Entacapone
• Pramipexole
• Selegiline

Correct Answer: Amantadine

Explaination: This patient is likely experiencing dyskinesias, a side effect of levodopa therapy that can occur in 50% of patients with Parkinson disease after several years of treatment. When mild, they may not require any specific therapy. However, if the dyskinesias are bothersome to a patient, amantadine may be beneficial in reducing their intensity. Entacapone, pramipexole, and selegiline all enhance dopaminergic activity and may actually worsen the dyskinesias

Reference: Williams DR, Litvan I. Parkinsonian syndromes. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2013 Oct19(5 Movement Disorders)1189-212. doi 10.121201.CON.0000436152.24038.e0. PMID 24092286 PMCID PMC4234134.