What is the drug "Levodopa"? Instructions for use, price, reviews about this medicine will be considered a little further. You will also learn about what this medication is prescribed for, whether it has adverse reactions and contraindications, in what form it goes on sale, what is included in its composition and so on.
Composition, form, description
What components does Levodopa contain? Instructions for use indicate that the active substance of this medication is levodopa. It goes on sale in the form of round flat cylindrical tablets of white color, packed in contour cells and cardboard packs, respectively.
The principle of action of the drug
How does Levodopa drug work? Instructions for use, reviews report that it is an antiparkinsonian combination drug. It is aimed at eliminating stiffness, hypokinesia, tremors, salivation and dysphagia.
Entering the body, the active component of the drug is converted to dopamine (in the central nervous system), thereby filling the lack of this element.
Dopamine, which occurs in peripheral tissues, does not exhibit anti-Parkinsonian effects of levodopa. This is due to the fact that it does not penetrate the central nervous system and is the main cause of adverse reactions from taking the drug.
To reduce the dose of the active substance in the human body, a medication is prescribed in combination with peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors. This technique helps reduce side effects from taking the pills.
Pharmacokinetics
How much is Levodopa medicine absorbed in? The instruction for use states that after the drug enters the body, it is rapidly absorbed from the intestine.
The absorption of the active substance is about 20-30%. In this case, the therapeutic effect is observed after about 3 hours.
Eating (including certain foods) directly affects the absorption of the drug.
The drug is metabolized, resulting in the formation of several metabolites. Excretion of the active substance is carried out through the kidneys and through the intestines.
Indications for use
Under what conditions are patients prescribed Levodopa? Instructions for use inform about the following indications:
- postencephalitis syndrome, which occurs with cerebrovascular diseases or toxic intoxication;
- Parkinsonism syndrome, in addition, which was caused by the use of antipsychotic drugs;
- Parkinson's disease.
Contraindications
Are there any contraindications to the drug "Levodopa"? Instructions for use informs that this medication should not be taken in the following cases:
- with increased sensitivity to components;
- in combination with MAO inhibitors;
- during pregnancy and while breastfeeding;
- patients under 18 years old.
With extreme caution, this medicine may be prescribed for:
- emphysema;
- the presence of pulmonary diseases, diseases of the heart, liver, endocrine system and blood vessels;
- bronchial asthma;
- manifestations of psychosis;
- melanoma (including a history);
- angle-closure glaucoma;
- recurring seizures (convulsive);
- open-angle glaucoma, which proceeds in a chronic form;
- renal and hepatic impairment;
- myocardial infarction (history), as well as with manifestations of various types of arrhythmias;
- duodenal ulcer and stomach;
- manifestations of central nervous system depression;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
The drug "Levodopa": instructions for use
The description of this medication was presented above. How should it be taken?
According to the instructions, the drug is taken orally. The dosage is gradually increased from minimum to maximum (depending on the individual characteristics of the patient).
Start treatment with a dose of 0.25-1 g. This amount is divided into three doses. The dosage is gradually increased by 0.125-0.75 g. They do this after equal periods (for example, after three days), focusing on the individual reaction of the patient, and until the moment when the optimal effect of therapy is observed.
The maximum dose per day should not exceed eight grams.
The medication is by no means canceled abruptly. They stop taking it gradually.
Adverse reactions
Does Levodopa cause side effects? The instruction for use states that against the background of its administration, a person may experience some undesirable reactions that affect the work of all body systems:
- Cardiovascular system: heart palpitations, arrhythmia, impaired pressure, orthostatic reactions, fainting, and more.
- Digestive tract: diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia, anorexia, constipation, taste change, dry mouth, bleeding from the digestive tract.
It should also be noted that adverse reactions affecting the functioning of the hematopoietic organs, urinary, respiratory and nervous systems are not excluded. Often, while taking this medication, allergic reactions, changes in laboratory parameters and undesirable manifestations on the skin occur.
Cases of overdose (symptoms, treatment)
When using high doses of the drug, a significant increase in side effects is noted. Such conditions require treatment in the form of gastric lavage, monitoring the general condition of the patient and the work of his heart. If necessary, then conduct antiarrhythmic therapy.
Drug interaction
The simultaneous use of the drug in question and Ditilin, beta-adrenostimulants and drugs that are intended for inhalation anesthesia increases the likelihood of developing heart rhythm disturbances.
Tricyclic antidepressants can reduce the bioavailability of Levodopa.
The combination of this medication with Thioxanthenum, Diazepam, antipsychotic drugs, Phenytoin, m-anticholinergics, Clonidine, Diphenylbutylpiperidine, Papaverine, Clozapine, Phenothiazine, and Pyridoxine quite often reduces its antiparkinsonian effect.
Lithium preparations increase the likelihood of hallucinations and dyskinesias, and the drug Methyldop enhances adverse reactions.
The combination of MAO inhibitors and Levodopa leads to circulatory disorders. In this regard, the interval between doses of such drugs should be at least 14 days.
A pronounced decrease in pressure is observed with a combination of the drug in question and "Tubokurarin."
The drug "Metoclopramide" increases the bioavailability of "Levodopa", accelerating the emptying of the stomach. This fact can adversely affect the course of the disease.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
What you need to know before taking Levodopa tablets? Instructions for use (price is listed below) warns of a health hazard with a sharp cancellation of the medication.
In cases where dosage reduction or drug withdrawal cannot be avoided, regular monitoring of the patient's condition is required.
When taking the drug, it is not recommended to eat protein-rich foods, as it helps to reduce the absorption of the active substance.
In the process of therapy, constant monitoring of the operation of various systems, organs and blood parameters is required.
Price and analogues
The closest analogues of the drug "Levodopa" is such funds as "Levodopa Benserazid" and "Levodopa Carbidopa". Instructions for use informs that these medicines have the same indications, side effects, mechanisms of action and contraindications. The only difference between these funds is their composition.
Active substances such as benserazide and carbidopa reduce the production of dopamine in peripheral tissues, thereby increasing the amount of levodopa entering the central nervous system.
Thus, it can be safely noted that the use of Levodopa Carbidopa and Levodopa Benserazid preparations (instructions for the use of these drugs are also included in the package) excludes the additional use of peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors.
As for other analogues, they include such drugs as Izikom Mite, Tremonorm, Dopar 275, Tidomet, Duelin, Sinemet, Zimoks, Sindopa, Izikom , "On whom". Only the attending physician should prescribe them.
The price of Levodopa is quite high. In pharmacies, you can buy this medication in the range of 1500-1850 rubles.
Drug Reviews
Therapy of any disease should be performed only as directed by an experienced doctor. And Parkinson's disease is no exception.
Patients who took Levodopa at their own discretion did not achieve a positive therapeutic effect. Therefore, often reviews about this medication are negative. People report that even with prolonged use of the drug, noticeable improvements are observed in them.
If the medication in question is taken according to a scheme that was developed by an experienced specialist who monitors the course of the disease, then the treatment process almost always goes well. This is due to the fact that this drug must be taken in a strictly defined dosage, which depends on the condition of the patient, the characteristics of the disease and other factors.
Patients strictly following the treatment regimen report that Levodopa is very effective in resolving health problems.
By the way, many complain about the high cost of the drug. However, experts argue that the price of this medicine is fully justified.