A Parkinson's emergency information card should state "I have Parkinson's disease" and list full name, address, emergency contacts, neurologist, GP, Parkinson's nurse, pharmacy, exact drug names with strength, dose and clock time, timing warning, drugs to avoid, allergies, other conditions and implants. An emergency card is a small wallet card that speaks for you when you cannot speak clearly. ER teams often miss, delay or substitute Parkinson's drugs. A clear card helps them identify Parkinson's at once and keep dosing on track.
Medical information disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a physician or other qualified health professional about symptoms, medications, tests, or treatment decisions.
Table of Contents
- Identification and who to call
- Your exact medication schedule
- Why timing must appear in bold words
- Which drugs staff should avoid
- Allergies, devices and backup copies
Identification and who to call
Put full name, home address and at least two emergency contacts with phones. Add neurologist, GP, Parkinson's nurse and pharmacy with phone numbers.
The Parkinson's Foundation advises this identification set in its hospitalization tips so staff can reach your team fast. Keep type large and cards in wallet, phone case and hospital bag.
Your exact medication schedule
List every Parkinson's and non-Parkinson's drug with exact name, strength, dose and clock time. Write "8:00 AM" rather than "morning." Hospitals commonly delay doses, omit drugs before surgery or substitute without checking. A written clock-time list reduces guesswork during admission and shift changes.
- Drug name, strength and dose
- Clock time for each dose
- Night doses and as-needed drugs
Why timing must appear in bold words
Write "need medications on time, every time" on the card. Specify levodopa within 30 minutes of the prescribed time.
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NICE states in its quality statement on levodopa in hospital or a care home that late levodopa risks acute akinesia and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, longer stay and higher care needs. That warning tells nurses why your schedule differs from routine drug rounds.
Which drugs staff should avoid
List dopamine-blocking drugs to avoid because they worsen slowness, stiffness, tremor and dyskinesia. The Davis Phinney Foundation names these risks in its hospital-stays guide.
Add safer options where relevant, such as pimavanserin for Parkinson's psychosis and ondansetron-type drugs for nausea. Direct staff to confirm any change with the neurologist rather than stopping Parkinson's drugs.
- Haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine
- Metoclopramide, prochlorperazine/Compazine, promethazine, droperidol
Allergies, devices and backup copies
Record medication, latex and tape allergies, other conditions and implants. Note deep brain stimulation or Duopa/Duodopa enteral pump, add the device-manufacturer phone, and tell staff about DBS on arrival.
Duplicate diagnosis, key drugs, allergies and contacts on an engraved ID or bracelet for first responders. A card alone does not ensure timely dosing because hospitals often use a one-hour drug window and may lack stock, so carry the card plus bracelet, medication-form copies and extra doses, update the health-proxy and emergency list every six months, and show the card at admission.
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