Parkinson's Patients Advised Not to Stop Medication, Here's Why

People with Parkinson’s disease are strongly advised to maintain discipline in taking their medication. Clinical pharmacist from the National Brain Centre Hospital (RS PON), apt. Nurul Ulya, stressed that medication adherence is crucial to prevent the worsening of motor symptoms.

Nurul explained that stopping medication arbitrarily can trigger a significant recurrence of symptoms. “If the medication is stopped, the symptoms recur, muscles become stiff, joints are affected, so the Parkinson’s symptoms cannot be managed properly. So if possible, do not stop the medication,” said Nurul during an online discussion commemorating Parkinson’s Day in Jakarta.

Timeliness is the main key in Parkinson’s therapy. Nurul detailed that the frequency of taking medication must be adjusted according to the doctor’s instructions to keep drug levels in the body stable. If a patient accidentally misses a medication schedule, Nurul advised that the medicine be taken immediately when remembered. However, the next schedule must be readjusted based on the time interval since the last dose.

One important point highlighted is how to take levodopa. Nurul reminded that this medicine should be taken on an empty stomach so that its absorption is maximised. This is because levodopa can bind to protein from food, which actually inhibits the effectiveness of the drug.

“It must be on an empty stomach. Levodopa will bind to food protein, so its absorption is disrupted. It is best taken 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating,” she explained.

For Parkinson’s patients who use a nasogastric tube (NGT), it is highly recommended to consult again with a doctor regarding which types of medicine may be crushed and which may not, to ensure therapy remains optimal.

Adherence to medication schedules and routine check-ups with a doctor is expected to prevent the worsening of nerve conditions. With regular therapy, Parkinson’s patients have a great chance of returning to a normal and productive routine.

Nurul added that along with consistent improvement in symptoms, it is possible that the medication dose can be reduced by the doctor in the future. The key remains the patient’s discipline in following the established treatment protocol.