Researchers at Northwestern University have completed research suggesting that a drug that is already available to treat high blood pressure, isradipine, may provide neuroprotection to people with Parkinson's disease.
Isradipine is already on the market to help people maintain heart health. However, in animal experiments, scientists found that it helped ward off attacks from chemicals that can damage dopamine-producing neurons.
When a doctor prescribes something for a use for which it is not approved, this is called prescribing "off label." It is legal in many situations. However, they are often careful not to prescribe off label because they perceive it as risky—and they are probably right.
So, a doctor could prescribe it to a person with Parkinson's disease with the hope that it would provide some neuroprotection.
