Effect of L-dopa on polycythemia.
A patient with Parkinson's disease, in whom polycythemia vera was known to be present for several years prior to the onset of parkinsonian symptoms, received treatment with a preparation consisting of L-dopa plus a decarboxylase inhibitor (Madopar). Improvement in the parkinsonian symptoms was associated with marked improvement in the polycythemia. A therapeutic trial of the same L-dopa preparation in 2 other patients with polycythemia had similar effects. The cases are presented and the possible central therapeutic effect of L-dopa is discussed.
D000368:Aged; D001545:Benserazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications; D011087:Polycythemia Vera / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
D006834:Hydrazines; D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide