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.
Metman
L V
LV
Experimental Therapeutics Branch, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Hoff
J
J
Mouradian
M M
MM
Chase
T N
TN
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