Safety, tolerability and efficacy of levodopa-carbidopa treatment for cocaine dependence: two double-blind, randomized, clinical trials.
BACKGROUND
The role of dopamine in cocaine abuse has been long recognized. Cocaine use can profoundly alter dopaminergic functioning through depletion of this monoamine and changes in receptor functioning. Based on these facts, levodopa (L-dopa) pharmacotherapy may be helpful in reducing or abolishing cocaine use.


OBJECTIVE
The current studies sought to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of L-dopa as a treatment for cocaine dependence.


METHODS
In Study 1, 67 cocaine-dependent subjects were randomized in a 5-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled safety trial. Subjects received either placebo, or 400 mg L-dopa plus 100 mg of the peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, carbidopa, in a sustained-release preparation (Sinemet CR). In Study 2, 122 cocaine-dependent subjects were enrolled in a 9-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to compare placebo to 400/100 mg and 800/200 mg L-dopa/carbidopa treatments. Placebo or L-dopa were administered twice daily in both studies.


RESULTS
L-dopa was well tolerated with similar retention and medication adherence rates compared to placebo. Only two side effects occurred more often in L-dopa-treated patients: nausea and dizziness. L-dopa lowered diastolic blood pressure in a dose-dependent fashion. In these trials, L-dopa had no effect on cocaine use, cocaine craving, or mood.


CONCLUSIONS
These two studies demonstrate the safety and tolerability of L-dopa pharmacotherapy in cocaine-dependent patients. No evidence for greater efficacy of L-dopa compared to placebo was observed. The possibility of enhancing treatment effects by combining L-dopa with other behavioral or pharmacological interventions is discussed.
Mooney
Marc E
ME
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center, 2701 University Avenue, S.E., Suite 201, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA. moon0078@umn.edu
Schmitz
Joy M
JM
Moeller
F Gerard
FG
Grabowski
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000188:drug therapy; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004298:Dopamine / Q000502:physiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D002189:Marijuana Abuse / Q000188:drug therapy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D012449:Safety; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D010919:Placebos; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa; D004298:Dopamine