Oral levodopa/carbidopa solution versus tablets in Parkinson's patients with severe fluctuations: a pilot study.
Four patients with Parkinson's disease, optimally treated with levodopa/carbidopa (LD/CD) tablets but experiencing severe motor fluctuations, underwent an open trial of a levodopa/carbidopa/ascorbic acid solution (LCAS) orally at timed intervals. LCAS reduced bradykinesia, decreased dysfunctional dyskinesia, and increased functional "on" time when compared with previous LD/CD tablet therapy. Oral LCAS allowed better titration of levodopa dosage and offered a more predictable response than LD/CD tablets. Preparation and oral consumption of LCAS was easy and inexpensive. LCAS may be a practical alternative for patients whose motor fluctuations fail to respond to optimal therapy with LD/CD tablets.
Barrow Neurological Institute, Division of Neurology, Phoenix, AZ 85013-4496.
M C
MC
Kurth
J W
JW
Tetrud
I
I
Irwin
W H
WH
Lyness
J W
JW
Langston
D000204:Activity Cycles; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets
D004338:Drug Combinations; D012996:Solutions; D013607:Tablets; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa