Medication Management
Medication and exercise are the primary treatments of Parkinsonβs disease, but fluctuating symptoms and varying rates of progression make treatment challenging.
Come meet Amy Tran, BSc(Pharm), RPh, and learn more about the symptoms that come with Parkinsonβs medication, the best ways to manage your medication, and more.
A PARKINSONβS-FOCUSED PHARMACIST
Amy is a practicing pharmacist in Greater Victoria. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Her interest in Parkinson disease started while she was on a community pharmacy rotation as a student pharmacist. Having the opportunity to meet and connect with individuals affected by Parkinson disease over the years has allowed her to obtain an understanding of the support needed by this community in-between healthcare appointments.
Online Medication Support Groups
Introduction to Online Medication Support Groups
Developed in collaboration with the BRAIN Team at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of British Columbia, PWP is excited to introduce the new, free online medication support groups for Parkinsonβs disease.
Pharmacy students will be facilitating medication support groups under the supervision of registered pharmacists that have experience working with patients with Parkinsonβs disease.
These sessions are open to anyone interested in learning more about Parkinsonβs disease! There will be a total of three sessions. Each session will be one hour long and involve an education session followed by a Q&A period where you will have the opportunity to ask medication-related questions. Alternatively, You can also access easy-to-follow online modules created to help people living with Parkinsonβs and their care partners better understand symptoms and treatment. *Please see the βOnline Learning Moduleβ links for each webinar topic.
Session dates
Session 1 β Saturday, June 6th, 10:00-11:00 AM
Medication Management of Sleep Disorders in PD
Session 2 β Saturday, July 11th, 10:00-11:00 AM
Medication Management of Cognitive Changes in PD
Session 3 β Friday, August 7th, 2:00-3:00 PM
Medication Management of Gastrointestinal Disturbances in PD
Resources from Medication Management Support Groups and Discussions
Overview of All Medication Management Support Groups and Discussions
Additional Modules
1. Motor Symptoms: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-motor/
2. Motor Fluctuations: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-motor-dk-pd/
3. Non-Motor Symptoms: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-non-motor/
4. Sleep Disorders: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-sleep/
5. Cognitive Changes: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-cognitive
6. Gastrointestinal Disturbances: https://media.pharmacy.ubc.ca/articulate/care-gastro/
Videos
Medications for Parkinsonβs Disease Overview
Levodopa is considered the βgold standardβ for treating Parkinsonβs disease - but how does it work? In this video, Larry Leung, a pharmacist and Associate Professor of Teaching at UBC, provides an overview of levodopa and other Parkinsonβs medications.
Late and Advanced Treatment
Since Parkinsonβs disease is a lifelong and progressive condition, a personβs response to their medications can change over time as their symptoms worsen. In this video, Larry Leung explores some of the treatment options that are available in the later stages of Parkinsonβs disease.
Student Videos
Are you interested in learning more about Parkinsonβs disease? In this video, Nicoline and Elizabeth, two Entry-to-Practice PharmD students, share an exciting opportunity for students who are wanting to further their learning and support patients with Parkinsonβs disease.
PEER | PD Decision Support Tool
In collaboration with PWP, the BRAIN Team at UBC designed the PD Decision Support Tool, an interactive tool designed to educate patients and healthcare professionals on the most appropriate options for initial treatment and adjustment of medications for Parkinsonβs disease. The tool is divided into 4 steps, which are intended to guide patients through self-assessment, comparison of alternatives, and adjustment processes.
Step 1: The user enters information on their current medications and symptoms to determine whether the tool will give information on either: (A) starting medications for newly diagnosed PD or (B) adjusting current PD medications.
Step 2: Medication options can be selected to compare benefits and risks. Medication regimens, costs, and other relevant considerations are displayed in the dropdown menu. A bar graph displays the incidence (%) of side effects for each medication selected. Happy faces are used indicate the relative benefit of drug classes used in PD (highest = πππ; lowest = π).
Step 3: Inputs from Step 1 are used to provide guidance for self-adjusting levodopa therapy. Users are directed to discuss therapeutic alternatives requiring a prescription with their prescriber.
Step 4: Non-drug recommendations and links to PD-related infographics are provided.
What PD Decision Support Tool doesnβt do:
This tool is not intended for use by those with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implants. People with DBS implants may still use some medications to manage their PD. We recommend discussing appropriate alternatives for use with DBS with a neurologist.