Symptoms of Wearing-Off

The initial symptoms of wearing-off may be quite subtle and may not occur after every dose, or even every day. These symptoms also vary between individuals. The factors that indicate when the effects of your levodopa may be fading include:

Symptoms re-appear or worsen before the next dose
These symptoms improve when the next dose is taken

Since symptoms affecting movement are the most noticeable symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, these are also the symptoms of wearing-off that are recognized most easily when the effect of levodopa fades. However, the re-appearance of non-motor symptoms, such as anxiety, mood changes, pain, panic attacks, slowness of thinking and tiredness at the end of dosing period, may also mean wearing-off.

Video

Follow the links through to the wearing-off questionnaire for further details.

Wearing-off or the fading effect of levodopa can have a negative effect on a person’s ability to function normally by impacting on their movement control and day-to-day activities⁶. In fact, most people with Parkinson’s disease describe wearing-off one of the greatest challenges. For example, many people with Parkinson’s disease find the sudden lack of energy they experience during periods of poor symptom control debilitating, making it hard to go about their daily activities such as walking or working.

If you think the effect of levodopa is fading, you may be experiencing wearing-off. It is important to consult your doctor, who may recommend any of the following:

Change the dose of levodopa-containing medication

Change how often the tablet that contains levodopa is taken

Change to another levodopa-containing medication

Change the time that the levodopa medication is take in relation to meals