Don't wait. If you or your loved one is experiencing Parkinson’s disease-related hallucinations and/or delusions, there’s something you can do.
Actor portrayal
Seeing things that aren't real? Believing things that aren't true?
About 50% of people with Parkinson's may experience hallucinations and/or delusions over the course of their disease. Talk to your healthcare provider. These symptoms generally worsen over time, but are treatable.
Hallucinations and/or delusions may affect about 50% of people with Parkinson’s over the course of their disease
Quick facts about Parkinson’s
- Parkinson's is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement
- Parkinson's is progressive, meaning it gets worse over time
- The cause of Parkinson's is unknown but certain factors, such as genetics and environment, are believed to play a role
- Parkinson's reduces the brain’s production of dopamine—a chemical that sends signals that control movement
The signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s can vary
Many people are aware of how Parkinson's affects the body and its motor functions. But Parkinson's affects the mind, too. The non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's include hallucinations—seeing, hearing, or experiencing things that aren't real—and delusions—believing things that aren't true.
Parkinson’s motor symptoms may include:
- Slowness of movement
- Resting tremors
- Limb stiffness
- Trouble with balance
Parkinson’s non-motor symptoms may include:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Anxiety, depression
- Loss of mental sharpness/acuity
- Constipation, impaired bladder control
How people with Parkinson's describe their hallucinations and delusions
Seeing things that aren't real
Such as people, either living or deceased, animals, or objects.
Hearing things that aren't real
May include sounds, music, or voices.
Paranoia
Like believing people are talking about you.
False beliefs
May include fears of your loved ones stealing from you, putting you in harm's way, or being unfaithful.
See how real patients talk about Parkinson's-related hallucinations and delusions
In this video, Joe and his friend Mariann discuss his experience living with Parkinson’s hallucinations and delusions. Joe talks about how the hallucinations have affected him, and how he started to speak to his healthcare provider to address them.
These stories represent the experiences of actual patients and care partners. The opinions expressed are their own, and individual experiences may vary. Always speak with your healthcare provider.
What causes Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions?
Currently, there is no clear understanding of the exact cause of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's. However, certain brain chemicals and receptors (such as dopamine and serotonin) are believed to play a role. In general, the condition is thought to be caused by the following:
Side effect of dopamine therapy
Hallucinations and delusions may be a side effect of common Parkinson's medications (called dopaminergic therapies). These medications increase dopamine levels in the brain, helping improve motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's. However, increasing dopamine levels may also cause changes that lead to hallucinations and delusions.
The natural progression of Parkinson's
Hallucinations and delusions may be caused by changes in the brain that occur naturally as Parkinson's progresses—regardless of whether or not the person with Parkinson's takes any medications to increase dopamine levels.
The challenges of Parkinson’s-related hallucinations and delusions
Living with Parkinson's hallucinations and delusions isn't easy. No matter how severe they are, hallucinations and delusions can bring about new challenges for you and your loved one.
More than motor symptoms
People who develop non-motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's like hallucinations and/or delusions often have to deal with a broader set of challenges and more limitations to their activities of daily life.
Changes at home
Hallucinations and/or delusions can increase the distress of people with Parkinson's and the people who care for them.
Losing touch with reality
As hallucinations progress, the people who experience them may lose the ability to identify whether or not what they’re experiencing is real.
Emotional challenges
It's not surprising that Parkinson's-related hallucinations and delusions can also present emotional issues for everyone involved. These symptoms can cause emotional distress and increase the burden on the care partner. It’s important to remember that these symptoms are a part of the disease.
See how NUPLAZID® can help with Parkinson's-related hallucinations and delusions
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION and INDICATIONWhat is the most important information I should know about NUPLAZID?
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Medicines like NUPLAZID can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
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NUPLAZID is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia who experience psychosis unless their hallucinations and delusions are related to Parkinson’s disease.
Who should not take NUPLAZID?
- Do not take NUPLAZID if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in NUPLAZID. Allergic reactions have included rash, hives, swelling of the tongue, mouth, lips, or face, throat tightness, and shortness of breath.
- Do not take NUPLAZID if you have certain heart conditions that change your heart rhythm. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about this possible side effect. Call your healthcare provider if you feel a change in your heartbeat.
What other warnings should I know about NUPLAZID?
- QT Interval Prolongation: NUPLAZID may increase the risk of changes to your heart rhythm. This risk may increase if NUPLAZID is taken with certain other medications known to prolong the QT interval. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take or have recently taken.
Please also see What is the most important information I should know about NUPLAZID?
What medicine might interact with NUPLAZID?
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take. Other medicines may affect how NUPLAZID works. Some medicines should not be taken with NUPLAZID. Your healthcare provider can tell you if it is safe to take NUPLAZID with your other medicines. Do not start or stop any medicines while taking NUPLAZID without talking to your healthcare provider first.
What are the common side effects of NUPLAZID?
- The common side effects of NUPLAZID include swelling in the legs or arms, nausea, confusion, hallucination, constipation, and changes to normal walking. These are not all the possible side effects of NUPLAZID. For more information, ask your healthcare provider about this medicine.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1‑800‑FDA‑1088. You can also call Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1‑844‑4ACADIA (1‑844‑422‑2342).
Indication
NUPLAZID is a prescription medicine used to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.
How should I take NUPLAZID?
The recommended dose of NUPLAZID is one 34 mg capsule once per day, taken by mouth, with or without food.
NUPLAZID is available as 34 mg capsules and 10 mg tablets.
Please read the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNING.