[Levodopa in hemifacial spasm. A therapeutic alternative].
OBJECTIVE
After reviewing the existing literature on the subject, a therapeutic, symptomatic alternative in the treatment of hemifacial spasm is proposed.


METHODS
Three patients, all with a 5-year history of hemifacial spasm, were given one 25/250-mg tablet of Levodopa/carbidopa every 12 h. In a cross-over study, the patients were their own controls. The initial treatment phase lasted 1 month, at the end of which treatment was suspended. For an equal amount of time, the patients were given a placebo, after which they were again given Levodopa.


RESULTS
After a 2-week period of treatment with Levodopa, the symptomatic aspect of the spasm disappeared in the patients. Upon replacing the drug with the placebo, the spasm reappeared. The patients have since been receiving the treatment with Levodopa, one tablet every 12 h, for a period of 4 years and the reduction of the hemifacial spasm has oscillated at 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest the use of Levodopa/carbidopa in the treatment of hemifacial spasm as a therapeutic alternative. This treatment is within the patients' economic reach and more importantly allows them to once again lead normal lives.
Millán-Guerrero
R O
RO
Servicio de Neurología, Hospital General de Zona UMF 1 IMSS, Colima, Col.
Tene-Pérez
E
E
Trujillo-Hernández
B
B
D000368:Aged; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D019569:Hemifacial Spasm / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D007980:Levodopa