Levodopa Pharmacology

Levodopa

About Levodopa

Dopamine agonist, Antiparkinsonian agent.

Mechanism of Action of Levodopa

Levodopa is the precursor of Dopamine.Levodopa crosses the blood brain barrier and undergoes decarboxylation and releases Dopamine. The Dopamine stimulates dopaminergic receptors in the basal ganglia and enhances the balance between cholinergic and dopaminergic activity and results in improved modulation of voluntary nerve impulses transmitted to the motor cortex.

Pharmacokinets of Levodopa

Absorption: It is absorbed rapidly from the small intestine. Distribution: It is widely distributed in most body tissue.It crosses blood brain barrier and also distribute in the milk. Metabolism: About 95% of the drug is converted to Dopamine by l-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzyme.Excretion:It is excreted mainly through urine.

Onset of Action for Levodopa

N/A

Duration of Action for Levodopa

5 hour

Half Life of Levodopa

1 - 3 hours

Side Effects of Levodopa

1.Vomiting
2.Nausea
3.Anorexia
4.Aggressive behavior
5.Tardive dyskinesia
6.Ataxia
7.Tremor
8.Nervousness
9.Anxiety
10.Delirium
11.Orthostatic hypotension
12.Bitter taste
13.Hemolytic anemia
14.Agranulocytosis

Contra-indications of Levodopa

1.Hypersensitivity to the drug
2.Concurrent therapy with MAO inhibitors within 14days
3.Acute angle closure glaucoma
4.Melanoma

Special Precautions while taking Levodopa

1.Severe renal impairment
2.Hepatic impairment
3.Pulmonary disorders
4.Myocardial Infarction
5.Arrhythmia
6.Peptic ulcer
7.Osychiatric illness
8.Bronchial asthma
9.Emphysema
10.Endocrine disorders

Pregnancy Related Information

Contraindicated

Old Age Related Information

Use with caution

Breast Feeding Related Information

Contraindicated

Children Related Information

Below 12 years:Contraindicated

Indications for Levodopa

1.Parkinsonism

Interactions for Levodopa

N/A

Typical Dosage for Levodopa

Initial dose: 0.5 - 1 g daily in 2 - 4 divided doses with food. Increase 100 - 750mg daily every 3 - 7 days. Maximum dose: 8 g/day

Schedule of Levodopa

Storage Requirements for Levodopa

Store at 25 - 30 degree C in a tightly closed container.

Effects of Missed Dosage of Levodopa

Take the missed dose as soon as noticed and if it is the time for next dose then skip the missed dose.

Effects of Overdose of Levodopa

Give supportive measures and symptomatic treatment.Drug can be removed from the body by gastric lavage. To reverse the toxic and therapeutic effect of Levodopa Pyridoxine 10 - 25 mg can be given.

Home Delivery for Levodopa in Your City

Medicine India is just a publishing medium for medicine related information and does not provide services or sales of medicines including levodopa.

However, we do publish a comprehensive directory of Pharmacies, Chemists and Druggists in cities all over India. You can use this directory to find the medicine stores in your city (or area) that provide home delivery services for levodopa and other medicines and health products. Home delivery services for levodopa may be free or they may cost you depending on the pharmacy and the minimum order requirements. It would be best to get this clarified while placing the order.

Please be aware that you should take levodopa only if a doctor has recommended or prescribed it. Some or all pharmacies who provide a home delivery service for medicines might insist on a prescription for levodopa before they complete the sale. You can get this information while placing the order for levodopa with the pharmacy.

Levodopa is a generic medicine name and there are several brands available for it. Some of the brands for levodopa might be better known than levodopa itself. If the pharmacy that's willing to deliver medicines to your home doesn't have levodopa in stock, you can ask for one of the branded alternatives for levodopa.