Several interventions are available for people with advanced Parkinson’s when oral treatments no longer sufficiently control symptoms. These interventions may result in an improvement in their condition, which in turn may result in a change in their medicines regimen.

For example, apomorphine is a potent dopamine receptor stimulant and is administered as an injection or infusion under the skin. Initiated by a hospital specialist, apomorphine prescribing is usually undertaken by primary care under shared care arrangements.

Alternatively, Duodopa or levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel is a type of levodopa that is administered by infusion directly into the intestine using a portable pump. Surgery can also be carried out on structures within the brain that are responsible for the modification of movements.