A drug called rivastigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, is used to treat dementia in people with Parkinson's disease (or Alzheimer's).[1] Other treatments for non-motor symptoms are similar to treatments used for the same symptoms in people without Parkinson's disease.[2] For example, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors are used to treat depression in people with Parkinson's disease.[2] Melatonin has shown some efficacy for treating daytime fatigue and excessive daytime sleepiness in people with Parkinson's disease through improving sleep quality.[3] Although modafinil is often prescribed for excessive daytime sleepiness, it failed to improve objective measures of sleepiness in people with Parkinson's disease in a randomized controlled trial.[4]
What are some of the main medical treatments for non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor used to treat dementia in Parkinson's disease, whereas other nonmotor symptoms are managed with treatments similar to those used in people without the disease, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants for depression. Additionally, melatonin can help improve sleep quality for daytime fatigue, although modafinil has not been effective in reducing sleepiness in people with Parkinson's.