Levodopa: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Levodopa?

What is Levodopa for?

Levodopa is a drug with the function of treating Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called dopamine in the brain. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the body so that it can increase the levels of this chemical.

Levodopa is used to treat stiffness, tremors, seizures, and impaired muscle control in Parkinson's disease. Levodopa is also used to treat the same muscle conditions when caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

Levodopa can also be used for purposes other than those listed in the medication guide.

The levodopa dosage and side effects of levodopa are detailed below.

How to use Levodopa?

Use Levodopa exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the instructions for use, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Levodopa is usually taken several times a day with meals. Follow the doctor's instructions.

Use levodopa regularly for optimal benefits.

The benefits of levodopa can be seen in a few weeks or a few months. Don't stop using Levodopa without first talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Levodopa to monitor progress and any side effects.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How is Levodopa stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Levodopa dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Levodopa for adults?

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinson's Disease

Baseline: 250 to 500 mg orally twice daily with meals.

Maintenance: 3000-6000 mg / day in 3 divided doses or more.

Usual Adult Dose for Restless Legs Syndrome

50 mg orally 1-2 hours before bedtime (given with a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor).

What is the dosage of Levodopa for children?

The dosage for children has not been determined. Consult your doctor for more information.

In what dosage is Levodopa available?

Tablet, Oral: 0.1g, 0.25g, 0.5g

Levodopa side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to levodopa?

The following side effects can occur:

• GI disorders such as nausea, vomiting, anorexia.
• GI bleeding in ulcer patients.
• Orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias.
• Psychiatric symptoms (especially the elderly), depression with or without suicidal tendencies.
• Abnormal movements intentional or dyskinesia, delirium, hallucinations.
• Slightly increased amounts of liver enzymes, BUN and uric acid.
• Transient leukopenia and thrombocytopenia

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Levodopa Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Levodopa?

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you:

• Allergy to Levodopa
• Have angle closure glaucoma
• Have malignant melanoma

Is Levodopa safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether Levodopa will be harmful to a nursing baby. Do not use Levodopa without first talking to your doctor if you are breastfeeding a baby.

Levodopa Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Levodopa?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Do not use Levodopa if you have used a monoamine oxidase (MAOI) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) in the past 2 weeks.

Antacids can increase the effectiveness of levodopa and cause side effects. Ask your doctor about using antacids.

Tell your doctor if you are taking medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Medicines taken by mouth to treat high blood pressure may be more effective when taken with levodopa, and very low blood pressure can occur.

Many drugs can decrease the effects of levodopa. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• Medicines used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin (Peganone), and mephenytoin (Mesantoin);
• Papaverine (Pavabid, Cerespan, others);
• Pyridoxine or vitamin B6;
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and amoxapine (Asendin); or

Levodopa can interfere with the sugar and ketone levels in a diabetes urine test. If you have diabetes and notice any changes in your urine test results, talk to your doctor before making changes in your diabetes medication.

Can food or alcohol interact with levodopa?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Levodopa?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems .:

• Any kind of heart disease, including high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries, previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeat;
• Respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• Liver disease;
• Kidney illness;
• Endocrine (hormone) disease;
• Stomach or intestinal ulcers;
• Wide-angle glaucoma; or
• Depression or other psychiatric disorders

Levodopa overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.