Parkinson's Disease: Drug Therapy Considerations for Rehabilitation.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 1 million people in North America. Primary treatment consists of drug therapy, with levodopa being the gold standard. As the disease progresses, maintaining physical function and minimizing adverse effects often require multiple medications. Optimal medication management is an ongoing process of drug selection and dosage titration. The rehabilitation professional plays a key role in monitoring the efficacy and toxicity of medications through assessment of motor function and mobility. This article reviews the pharmacologic management of PD and its relation to rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]