[Parkinson disease. Directed use of modern therapy]

The approval of new antiparkinsonian drugs such as novel dopamine agonists or COMT-inhibitors during the last years has improved the therapeutic possibilities in Parkinson's disease. The choice of the different drugs depends on their particular efficiency, their adverse effect profile, the stage of the disease, the cardinal symptoms, age, and comorbidity. Therefore the physician is challenged to adjust the therapeutic management of each patient to the particular medical and social needs. This article discusses the present therapeutic strategies for the different stages of the disease detailing the profile, the main applications and the most important side effects of each drug.