Which drug is primarily used to provide symptomatic relief in Parkinson's disease?

Levodopa is primarily used to provide symptomatic relief in Parkinson's disease because it is a precursor to dopamine, which is deficient in the brains of individuals with this condition. As Parkinson's disease is characterized by motor symptoms such as tremors, rigidity, and bradykinesia due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, increasing dopamine levels through the administration of levodopa can effectively alleviate these symptoms.

When levodopa is taken, it is converted into dopamine in the brain, replenishing the neurotransmitter levels and helping to improve motor function and coordination. This makes levodopa a cornerstone of Parkinson’s disease treatment, particularly for managing its symptoms and improving the quality of life for patients.

The other options do not fulfill the role of providing symptomatic relief for Parkinson's disease. Atypical antipsychotics are primarily used to treat psychiatric disorders rather than motor symptoms. NSAIDs are anti-inflammatory medications that may address pain but do not target the underlying neurological deficit in Parkinson's. Codeine is an opioid used primarily for pain management and does not address the symptoms related to dopaminergic deficiency in Parkinson's disease. Therefore, levodopa is distinctly the most appropriate choice for symptomatic relief in this context.