The drug "Levodopa": instructions for use, description, composition, analogues and reviews

What is the drug "Levodopa"? Instructions for use, price, reviews about this medicine will be considered a little further. Also you will find out about what this medication is prescribed for, whether it has side 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 the drug "Levodopa" contain? Instructions for use indicate that the active substance of this drug is levodopa. On sale it comes in the form of round, flat-cylindrical white tablets packed in contour cells and cardboard packs, respectively.

Principle of action of a medicament

How does Levodopa work? Instructions for use, reviews report that this is an antiparkinsonian combination. It is aimed at the elimination of rigidity, hypokinesia, tremor, salivation and dysphagia.

Entering the body, the active component of the drug is converted to dopamine (in the central nervous system), thereby making up for the lack of this element.

Dopamine, which occurs in peripheral tissues, does not exhibit an antiparkinsonian effect of levodopa. This is due to the fact that it does not penetrate the central nervous system and is the main cause of the appearance of adverse reactions from the drug.

To reduce the dose of the active substance in the human body, the medication is prescribed in combination with inhibitors of peripheral dopa decarboxylase. This method helps to reduce the side effects of taking tablets.

Pharmacokinetics

How much is Levodopa absorbed? Instruction for use says that after getting the drug into the body, it is quickly absorbed from the intestine.

Absorption of the active substance is about 20-30%. In this case, the therapeutic effect is observed after about 3 hours.

Eating food (including certain foods) directly affects the absorption of the drug.

The drug is metabolized, resulting in several metabolites. The active substance is excreted through the kidneys and through the intestine.

Indications for use

When are patients prescribed Levodopa? Instruction for use reports the following indications:

• Postencephalitis syndrome, which occurs when 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 Levodopa? Instruction for use informs that this medication is prohibited to be taken in the following cases:

• With increased sensitivity to components;
• In combination with MAO inhibitors;
• During pregnancy and during breastfeeding;
• Patients under 18 years.

With special care, this medicine can be prescribed for:

• Emphysema of the lungs;
• Presence of pulmonary diseases, heart disease, liver, endocrine system and blood vessels;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Manifestations of psychosis;
• Melanoma (including in history);
• Angle-closure glaucoma;
• Repeated seizures (convulsive);
• Open-angle glaucoma, which proceeds in a chronic form;
• Renal and hepatic insufficiency;
• Myocardial infarction (in the anamnesis), as well as manifestations of arrhythmias of various types;
• An ulcer of the duodenum and stomach;
• Manifestations of CNS depression;
• Disturbance of the rhythm of the heart.

The drug "Levodopa": instructions for use

The description of this medicine was presented above. How should it be taken?

According to the instructions, the drug is taken orally. Dosage is gradually increased from the minimum to the maximum (depending on the individual characteristics of the patient).

Begin treatment with a dose equal to 0.25-1 g. This amount is divided into three doses. Dosage is gradually increased by 0,125-0,75 g. Do this through 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 will be observed.

The maximum dose of the drug per day should not exceed eight grams.

In any case, the medicine is not abolished abruptly. It is stopped gradually.

Adverse Reactions

Are side effects caused by Levodopa? Instruction for use says that against the background of its reception, a person may experience some undesirable reactions that affect the functioning of all body systems:

• Cardiovascular system: heart palpitations, arrhythmias, pressure disorders, orthostatic reactions, fainting and so on.
• The digestive tract: diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, anorexia, constipation, taste change, dry mouth, bleeding from the digestive tract.

It should also be noted that side reactions that affect the functioning of the organs of hematopoiesis, urinary, respiratory and nervous systems are not excluded. Often against the background of taking this medication, there are allergic reactions, changes in laboratory parameters and undesirable manifestations on the skin.

Cases of overdose (symptoms, treatment)

When using increased 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 antiarrhythmic therapy is performed.

Drug Interactions

Simultaneous reception of the drug in question and Ditilin, beta-adrenergic stimulants and agents that are intended for inhalation anesthesia, increases the likelihood of heart rhythm disturbances.

Biological availability of "Levodopa" can reduce tricyclic antidepressants.

The combination of this drug with "Tioxanthene", "Diazepam", antipsychotic drugs, "Phenytoin", m-cholinergic blockers, "Clonidine", "Diphenylbutylpiperidine", "Papaverin", "Clozapine", "Phenothiazine", "Pyridoxine" and "Reserpine" Quite often reduces its antiparkinsonian effect.

Lithium preparations increase the likelihood of hallucinations and dyskinesias, and the drug "Methyldop" intensifies side 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 marked decrease in pressure is observed when the drug in question is combined with "Tubokurarin".

The drug "Metoclopramide" increases the bioavailability of "Levodopa", speeding up the emptying of the stomach. This fact can negatively affect the course of the disease.

Special recommendations for the use of the drug

What should I know before taking Levodopa tablets? Instructions for use (the price is listed below) warns of a health hazard when the medicine is drastically abolished.

In those cases where it is impossible to avoid reduction of dosage or withdrawal of the medication, regular monitoring of the patient's condition is required.

When taking the drug is not recommended to eat foods rich in proteins, as it helps reduce the absorption of the active substance.

During the therapy it is required to carry out constant monitoring of the work of various systems, organs and blood indices.

Price and analogy

The closest analogues of the drug "Levodopa" are such drugs as "Levodopa Benserazid" and "Levodopa Carbidopa." Instruction 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.

Such active substances as benserazid and carbidopa reduce the production of dopamine in peripheral tissues, thereby increasing the amount of levodopa entering the CNS.

Thus, it can be safely noted that the prescription of drugs "Levodop Carbidopa" and "Levodopa Benserazid" (instruction on the use of these agents is also enclosed in the package) excludes an additional intake of inhibitors of peripheral dopa decarboxylase.

As for other analogues, they include such drugs as "Izikom Mite", "Tremonorm", "Dopar 275", "Tidomet", "Duellin", "Sinemet", "Zimox", "Sindopa", "Izikom" , "On whom". Only the attending physician should prescribe them.

The price of the drug "Levodopa" is quite high. In pharmacies, you can buy this medication within 1500-1850 rubles.

Reviews about the drug

Therapy of any disease should be performed only according to the appointment of an experienced doctor. And Parkinson's disease is no exception.

Patients who took the drug "Levodopa" in their personal discretion, and did not achieve a positive therapeutic effect. Therefore, often reviews about this drug 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 follows the course of the disease, the treatment process is almost always successful. This is due to the fact that this drug must be taken in a strictly defined dosage, which depends on the patient's condition, the characteristics of the ailment and other factors.

Patients strictly adhering to the treatment regimen report that the drug "Levodopa" is very effective in eliminating problems with health.

By the way, many complain about the high cost of medicines. However, experts argue that the price of this medication is fully justified.