Fluctuations in plasma levodopa and motor responses with liquid and tablet levodopa/carbidopa.
To evaluate the ability of orally administered liquid levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) to stabilize plasma levodopa levels and reduce motor response fluctuations in Parkinson's disease, five patients received LD/CD hourly, as standard tablets or as an aqueous solution on two separate days in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Except for a slightly earlier peak plasma levodopa level, no significant advantage of the liquid formulation over tablet therapy was found. However, liquid LD/CD could be helpful in quickly resolving "off" states and by facilitating small dose adjustments that are not possible with tablets.
Experimental Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
L V
LV
Metman
J
J
Hoff
M M
MM
Mouradian
T N
TN
Chase
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001682:Biological Availability; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000187:drug effects*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa