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To make it simple, Levodopa is the precursor of Dopamine and it's used to treat Parkinson's disease. (We don't directly use dopamine because dopamine can't cross our blood-brain-barrier, so, it won't be effective to be taken orally)

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Q: What is levodopa?
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Related questions

What will happen if pyridoxine is given with levodopa?

pyridoxine (vitamin B6) can decrease the effect of levodopa.


What is the purpose of levodopa?

Levodopa is a drug that helps to supplement dopamine, a neurotransmitter, to the brain of persons with PD.


What does carbidopa do?

Levodopa itself is not well tolerated, which is why it is combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa decreases peripheral metabolism of levodopa, which allows for lower doses of levodopa and less-severe side effects.


How to avoid giving levodopa in high dose to Parkinson's patients?

Although levodopa can cross our BBB, but it will be decarboxylated to dopamine peripherally before reaching our CNS - only small amount of Levodopa will be left and available to pass our BBB.So, instead of giving levodopa in high dose (which can cause lots of side effects), we give levodopa with peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors (e.g. carbidopa, benserazide) which can inhibit decarboxylation of levodopa in GIT and peripheral tissues. (By combining levodopa and peripheral decarobxylase inhibitors, we will have less side effects too)


What is l dopa?

levodopa


What is L-dopa also called?

levodopa


What is levodopa also called?

L-dopa


Can you take carbidopa and levodopa with NyQuil?

yes


When does the effective use of levodopa to treat Parkinson's disease typically cease?

This may occur after five to 10 years or more of successful levodopa treatment.


What medications are prescribed for Parkinson's disease?

Early on in PD, symptoms can be effectively treated with medication, especially levodopa and the dopamine agonists (drugs that act like levodopa).


What drug can mimic the effect of dopamine on the brain?

The effects of dopamine on the brain can be mimicked by the drug levodopa: levodopa therapy is the mainstay of PD treatment in its early stages.


What is the difference between bromocriptine and levodopa in relation to the duration of action?

Bromocriptine (dopaminergic agonist drug) has longer duration of action than levodopa (dopamine precursor).