What is OFF time?
OFF time occurs when your oral levodopa is no longer providing Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptom benefit and motor and non-motor symptoms reappear. These symptoms may include:
Motor symptoms
- Trembling/tremor or shaking of limbs
- Muscle stiffness
- Slowness starting and continuing movements
- Postural changes
- Writing in smaller handwriting
- Soft or low voice
- “Freezing” of gait or inability to move feet forward
- Shuffling
- Feeling stuck
Those with early-onset PD are especially prone to motor symptoms and tend to develop them more rapidly after treatment is started.
Over time with PD,
OFF increases
50%
Experience OFF within 5 years
90%Experience OFF within 10 years
Nonmotor symptoms
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Pain
- Restless legs
- Bladder and bowel problems
- Skin changes and excessive sweating
- Apathy
*Symptoms and experiences can vary from person to person.
Challenges of oral PD treatment
Oral levodopa typically works for several years, but as PD progresses over time, many who are on levodopa need to:
Increase the number of
levodopa doses per day
Increase the
levodopa dose
Take doses
closer together
Take additional PD
medications
How OFF time can disrupt your day
The timing and duration of OFF can be unpredictable. This can make it difficult to plan your day and may even cause you to stop or avoid certain activities and social interactions. Talk to your doctor if your OFF time affects any of these daily activities.
Getting Out of Bed
Personal Care
Daily Routine
Exercising
Why is GOOD ON time so important?
GOOD ON time refers to those periods of time when you experience optimal PD symptom control and feel your best.