Which drug class is primarily used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease?

The drug class primarily used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease is Anti-Parkinson's agents. This class of medications encompasses a variety of drugs that are specifically designed to alleviate the hallmark symptoms of Parkinson's, such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia (slowness of movement). Common examples include levodopa, dopamine agonists, and MAO-B inhibitors, which work by either replenishing the levels of dopamine in the brain or mimicking its effects, helping to restore balance to the neurotransmitter system affected by the disease.

Anti-Alzheimer's agents treat cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and are not effective in addressing the motor symptoms characteristic of Parkinson's. Similarly, muscle relaxants are used to relieve muscle spasms and do not target the specific dopamine deficiencies found in Parkinson's patients. Antiasthmatics are medications for managing asthma symptoms and are unrelated to the neurological aspects of Parkinson's disease. Therefore, Anti-Parkinson's agents are the only class relevant for directly managing the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease.