PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES IN THE TREATMENT OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that affects movement, and its treatment involves medications, complementary therapies and, in specific cases, interventions such as deep brain stimulation, aiming to improve the patient's quality of life. From this perspective, the present study aimed to analyze pharmacological approaches in the treatment of PD, with emphasis on efficacy, safety, and impact on motor and non-motor symptoms. This was an integrative literature review, whose data searches were carried out in the PUBMED, SCIELO and LILACS databases. Initially, a total of 442 articles were located, and after screening and careful selection, about 08 articles were chosen to compose this review. A total of 4,764 individuals were evaluated, most of whom were male, aged between 50 and 70 years. Among the medications used, levodopa was most prominent, both in monotherapy and in combination with another drug. Studies show that levodopa, alone or in combination, is effective in motor symptoms, but does not impact the progression of the disease. Intrajejunal therapy and combination with selegiline offer additional benefits, while flavonoids may complement treatment. Isradipine, on the other hand, has not shown efficacy in the progression of the disease. It is concluded that the pharmacological approach to PD continues to be fundamental for the management of motor and non-motor symptoms, with levodopa being the pillar of treatment, complemented by combination therapies and new agents that offer additional benefits in certain contexts.