title: [Effectiveness of slow release L-DOPA/benserazide in treatment of end-of-dose akinesia in Parkinson disease].
abstract: In an open label study 63 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease suffering from end-of-dose akinesia were switched from a treatment with a L-DOPA standard formulation to a combined therapy of L-DOPA standard in the morning and L-DOPA slow release (levodopa, benserazide, Madopar Depot) at the remaining single doses. Substitution of L-DOPA standard by L-DOPA slow release took on average 2-4 weeks. Patients were subsequently treated for 6 months. Due to a lower bioavailability of the slow release formulation--the latter is based on the "hydrodynamically balanced system" (HBS)--, the patients remained initially on their time schedule of drug intake but received a higher dose of L-DOPA slow release compared to the preceding L-DOPA standard therapy. In 20 centers 37 men and 26 women were included into the study. 27 males and 20 females completed the 6 month treatment period. Before switching, the patients received 438 +/- 213 mg a day L-DOPA standard, after conversion, the average dose was 617 +/- 323 mg L-DOPA slow release and 107 +/- 95 mg L-DOPA standard a day. Fluctuations during the day and at night which were rated according to a newly developed clinical 5-point rating scale were significantly improved by the treatment regimen from 2.8 +/- 0.9 to 1.4 +/- 1.2. Additionally, parkinsonian symptoms were significantly reduced during the ON-phase as there was a significant decrease of the Webster rating score from 12.0 +/- 4.6 to 7.1 +/- 4.0. Quality of life as measured by subjective ratings of the patients improved. The tolerability of the new formulation of L-DOPA was rated to be good in 51.1% and very good in 48.9%. The results of this open label study suggest that the combination of L-DOPA standard in the morning and L-DOPA slow release formulation at the following time points can be an efficient therapy in parkinsonian patients who suffer form L-DOPA related end-of-dose motor akinesia.
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik, Klinikum Grosshadern, Universität München.
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Eichhorn
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schrag
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trenkwalder
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Selzer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kohnen
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Oertel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Poewe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D001545:Benserazide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; C005177:benserazide, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D001545:Benserazide