Levodopa
About
Levodopa belongs to a class of drugs called antiparkinson agents. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine (a hormone found in the brain) primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. It may also be used in combination with carbidopa. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and locomotion. It causes stiffness, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination and balance. In Parkinson’s patients, there are a decrease in dopamine (a chemical messenger that is important for movement control) levels as the nerve cells that produce dopamine begin to die.
Levodopa works by getting converted to dopamine in the brain and restores its levels. Thereby, it improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa is synthesized in the brain into dopamine and is the first-line drug used for the management of Parkinson's disease. Off-label use of Levodopa involves treatment for the patients with intermittent restless leg syndrome.
It is for oral inhalation only. Use Levodopa as advised by the doctor. Most common side effects of Levodopa are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, light-headedness, lowered blood pressure, confusion and dyskinesia (uncontrolled/involuntary muscle movement). Most of these side effects of Levodopa do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Levodopa or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor. If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, involuntary muscle movements, intense urges like gambling, spending money, overeating or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Levodopa.
Uses of Levodopa
Medicinal Benefits
Levodopa is an antiparkinson agent that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. In Parkinson’s patients, the nerve cells that produce dopamine (a chemical messenger that is important for movement control) begin to die. So, there is a decrease in dopamine levels. Levodopa gets converted to dopamine in the brain and restores its levels. Thereby, improves the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Levodopa
- Nose and throat infection
- Cough
- Discoloured phlegm
- Uncontrolled body movements
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Patients taking Levodopa can also have a low level of vitamin B12, increased methylmalonic acid levels. A patient whose Vitamin B12 is deficient has increased level of methylmalonic acid and vice versa. Besides this, prolonged intake of Levodopa may lead to greater chances of neuropathy (nerve damage). Levodopa should be given with caution in patients with eye problems (glaucoma), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), gastrointestinal bleeding, stomach ulcer and psychosis. The use of Levodopa is contraindicated with the use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) or antidepressants drugs like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline and tranylcypromine because it can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) crisis.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Levodopa may have interaction with other antiparkinson’s drugs (rasagiline, pramipexole), water pills or diuretics (furosemide), high cholesterol-lowering drugs (atorvastatin), vitamins (pyridoxine), and antipsychotic drugs (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Levodopa may interact with proteins in the food. Therefore, avoid intake of high protein food such as chicken, beef, pork, eggs, and fish as they may reduce the effectiveness of Levodopa. Do not take vitamin supplements with Levodopa unless prescribed by a doctor. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, or involuntary muscle movements, inform your doctor before taking Levodopa.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Levodopa as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty in concentrating.
Pregnancy
cautionLevodopa is a Category B3 pregnancy drug and is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionLevodopa is excreted in human milk, but the effect of Levodopa on an infant is unknown. So, Levodopa is given to a breastfeeding mother only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Driving
unsafeLevodopa may cause drowsiness and make you fall asleep suddenly. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy after taking Levodopa.
Liver
cautionTake Levodopa with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Levodopa with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeLevodopa is not recommended for children as the safety and efficacy were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Avoid intake of high protein foods like soy protein, fish, eggs, chicken, beef, and pork. Eat more whole grain foods such as whole wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice or pasta.
- Eat more fibre rich foods to ease constipation.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid headaches due to dehydration.
- Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.
Special Advise
- Do not exceed more than 1 dose (2 capsules) for any off period (recurring symptoms in between regular doses).
- If you have unusual urges like gambling, spending money, over eating or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Levodopa.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parkinson’s disease: It is a disorder of central nervous system that affects movement due to damage of nerve cells in the brain which reduces the levels of dopamine and leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremor in one hand, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination and balance. This condition can last for many years or life-long. Treatment with medicines along with physiotherapy may help to control the symptoms and provide a quality life for as long as possible.
FAQs
Yes, Levodopa may cause low blood pressure in some patients especially while standing up suddenly from a sitting or lying down position and cause symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, nausea or fainting. Therefore, to avoid such side effects, you are recommended to get up slowly after lying down or sitting.
No, Levodopa is not recommended for glaucoma (damage of optic nerve that is essential for good vision) patients as it may increase the fluid pressure inside the eye. However, regular monitoring of pressure in the eyes is recommended while on treatment with Levodopa.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Levodopa without consulting your doctor as it may lead to a severe condition called withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia with symptoms such as confusion, fever, muscle stiffness, changes in heartbeat and breathing. Therefore, take Levodopa for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Levodopa, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
Store Levodopa at room temperature in a dry place and keep the capsules in the blister pack. Open the capsules only just before using the inhaler. Do not store capsules inside the inhaler device. Always keep capsules and inhaler dry. You are advised to throw away the inhaler after finishing all the capsules and use a new device that comes with each new prescription. Keep Levodopa out of sight and reach of children.
No, you are not advised to use Levodopa inhaler to take any other medicines. Levodopa inhaler should be used only to take Levodopa.
No, Levodopa does not cure Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa is only used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Yes, in some cases prolonged intake of Levodopa may lead to a decrease of Vitamin B12 in the body. So, your doctor might recommend regular tests for the Vitamin B12 while using Levodopa.
