Levodopa
Levodopa Information

About Levodopa

Levodopa is the aromatic amino acid converted in body to dopamine, a neurotransmittor deficient in Parkinson's disease. Controls rigidity and improves movements but less effect on tremor than anti-cholinergic drugs. Chemically itidentified as (-) -3- (3, 4-dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine. Levodopa levorotatory stereoisomer of dopa and can be extracted from naturally occuring ground velvet beans and with acetic acid. Levodopa is used to treat symptoms of parkinson's disease. itadministered orally.

Indications

Levodopa is primarily indicated in conditions like Dopa-responsive dystonia, Parkinsonism, Parkinson's disease, Parkinson's disease (but not drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms), Restless legs syndrome, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Glucoma.

Contraindication

Levodopa is contraindicated in conditions like Psychosis,Narrow-angle glaucoma,Skin lesions.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Levodopa, which give rise to further complications include Hallucinations, Hallucinations, Delirium, Dyskinesias, Mental disturbances, Cardiac irregularities, Bradyphrenia.Levodopa produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Cardiac arrhythmias, Postural hypotension, Anginal pain, Postural hypotension. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Levodopa therapy.The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Levodopa include Hypotension, Nausea, Vomiting, Cardiac arrhythmias, Confusion.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Levodopa are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Dizziness, Nausea, Vomiting, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Palpitation, Constipation, Abdominal pain, GI upset, Elevated alkaline phosphatase, Elevated hepatic transaminases, Faintness, Discoloration of urine, GI bleeding, dizziness, faintness.

Warnings

It should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, history of skin cancer, breathing problems, heart, kidney, liver, endocrine disease, ulcers, depression or blood disorders. It should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Do not take this during lactation.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, Cardiac / Hypertensive Patients, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, patients suffering from Liver Malfunction, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.