Medications are used to help treat symptoms of movement disorders by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) and helping control non-movement symptoms. One of these medications, called levodopa or L-dopa, is the main treatment for Parkinson's disease and certain other movement disorders.
Other medications for these disorders include:
- Carbidopa, which is usually given with levodopa
- Dopamine agonists
- Enzyme inhibitors such as MAO-B inhibitors
- Amantadine
- Anticholinergic drugs
- VMAT2 inhibitors such as deutetrabenazine and tetrabenazine