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Levodopa + Benserazide

Antiparkinson drugs Prescription
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Indications

Parkinson's Disease

The immediate release capsule of Levodopa + Benserazide is used for all forms of Parkinson's syndrome, except Parkinsonism caused by medicine. The controlled release capsule is meant for patients who show any kind of motor fluctuation in response, especially those linked to changes in plasma levels (that is, "peak dose dyskinesia" and "end of dose deterioration"). It is also used for better control of nocturnal symptoms.

⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.

Pharmacology

This capsule is an anti-Parkinson's medicine containing levodopa and benserazide. Levodopa is a dopamine precursor, and it works as a prodrug. Dopamine itself can't cross the blood brain barrier, but levodopa can, so it is used to raise dopamine levels. Once levodopa is inside the central nervous system, aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase converts it to dopamine.

After it is given, levodopa is quickly decarboxylated to dopamine in tissues outside the brain as well as inside it. Because of this, most of the levodopa given never reaches the basal ganglia, and the dopamine made in the rest of the body often causes unwanted side effects. So it is particularly desirable to block the decarboxylation of levodopa outside the brain. This can be done by giving levodopa together with benserazide, a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor.

The levodopa-benserazide capsule combines the two substances in a ratio of 4:1. This ratio proved optimal in clinical trials and in therapeutic use, and the combination is just as effective as large doses of levodopa given alone.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Levodopa + Benserazide falls in Pregnancy Category B3. This capsule is contraindicated during pregnancy, and also in women of childbearing potential who are not using adequate contraception. If a woman becomes pregnant while taking this capsule, the medicine must be discontinued. The safe use of this capsule during lactation has not been established.

Use in Children

This capsule is contraindicated in patients less than 30 years old.

⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Dosage Reference

⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.

Adults: Levodopa-Benserazide immediate release capsule (IR) for Parkinson's disease For patients not presently receiving levodopa, in the early stage, elderly patients take (50+12.5) 62.5 mg, 1 to 2 times/day as the initial dose. Gradually increase by Levodopa-Benserazide (50+12.5) 62.5 mg daily, every 3 to 4 days according to response. Adults take (50+12.5) 62.5 mg, 3 to 4 times/day, and the maintenance dose is 1 capsule of Levodopa-Benserazide (100+25) 125 mg, 3 to 6 times/day. In the advanced stage, the dose is (100+25) 125 mg, 3 times/day. Patients previously on levodopa monotherapy should initiate with 10 to 15% of the usual dose they took before. Patients previously on another levodopa/dopa decarboxylase combination therapy should withdraw that therapy for 12 hours before starting Levodopa-Benserazide (50+12.5) 62.5 mg, 3 or 4 times daily. Controlled release capsule (CR) for Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuation Patients not presently receiving levodopa start with 1 capsule of Levodopa-Benserazide (100+25) 125 mg controlled release capsule, 3 times/day. The maximum dose is 6 capsules/day. Patients previously on a levodopa-Benserazide immediate release preparation should initially replace every 100 mg of levodopa with 1 controlled-release capsule, given at the same dosage frequency as before. Increase every 2 to 3 days according to response. Patients with renal impairment: No dose reduction of Levodopa-Benserazide is considered necessary in mild or moderate renal insufficiency. Patients with hepatic impairment: The safety and efficacy of Levodopa-Benserazide have not been established in patients with hepatic impairment.

Side Effects & Interactions

Side Effects

No side-effect data recorded yet.