As a 51-year-old man with Parkinson’s disease, I think a lot about medications. A couple of months ago, I began taking a new one called a dopamine agonist, which sells under the brand name Neupro.
We are taking it slowly, but I think I’m in love.
Agonists work by mimicking dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects movement and mood. Those with Parkinson’s lose the ability to produce dopamine, so agonists trick the brain into thinking it has more than it has. When taking Neupro, I move better, enjoy greater dexterity and have more energy. With respect to how I feel, this drug has turned back the clock several years.
We are taking it slowly, but I think I’m in love.
Agonists work by mimicking dopamine, a neurotransmitter that affects movement and mood. Those with Parkinson’s lose the ability to produce dopamine, so agonists trick the brain into thinking it has more than it has. When taking Neupro, I move better, enjoy greater dexterity and have more energy. With respect to how I feel, this drug has turned back the clock several years.
What’s not to love? A couple of things.