Reducing medication unusual ?

[Concerned2021]

Hello my 85 year old has Parkinson’s . Following his last review they’ve told him to reduce his medication ( less strength ) does anyone find this unusual ? I assumed you normally increased your medication ?

Many thanks

[Juliegrace]

It’s not unheard of; it depends on what his/her symptoms and side effects are.

[Concerned2021 in reply to Juliegrace]

Well all I am aware of is that my father in law has his review and they have reduced all his medication . Sastravi being one of them by 25mg. His jerky movements have become worse of late

[Juliegrace in reply to Concerned2021]

The jerky movement is most likely dyskinesia which is caused by the meds and reducing meds is usually the first thing doctors will recommend.

[Priscilla13]

An excess of levodopa dosage can cause LID (levodopa-induced dyskinesias). The Sastravi consists of Levodopa / Carbidopa / Entacapone, so surely the specialist has reduced the drug due to the jerking movements which in this case can most likely be LlD.

[Concerned2021]

Thank you all for your kind advice , just that he says he has felt unwell since reducing the meds . But could be he’s having some off days or as a result of reducing the meds x

[park_bear in reply to Concerned2021]

The foregoing comments are usually on target – Dyskinesia usually arises from too much levodopa. However there is a form of dyskinesia known as diphasic dyskinesia which arises when there is too little levodopa in the system. You can download a paper from here that explains the details:

researchgate.net/publicatio...

That is apparently what is going on with your 85-year-old. Call your medical provider(s) and have them revert to the previous regimen which was much better for him. If they are resistant they may need to be educated about diphasic dyskinesia.

[Concerned2021 in reply to park_bear]

Thanks v much indeed