Medicine Overview
Adult Dose
| Clinical Information | Administration Information |
|---|---|
|
Indication: Parkinson's disease Age: Adult Condition: Standard or dispersible forms |
Dose: Standard or dispersible forms – 50 mg Levodopa Frequency: 3-4 times daily Note: Initially 50 mg 3-4 times daily; increase by 100 mg per day once or twice weekly. Effective dose range: 400-800 mg per day in divided doses. |
|
Indication: Parkinson's disease Age: Adult Condition: Advanced stage disease, standard or dispersible forms |
Dose: Standard or dispersible forms – 100 mg Levodopa Frequency: 3 times daily Note: Initially 100 mg 3 times daily in advanced stage disease; increase by 100 mg per day once or twice weekly. Effective dose range: 400-800 mg per day in divided doses. |
Child Dose
| Clinical Information | Administration Information |
|---|---|
|
Age: Pediatric |
Dose: Form – No approved pediatric dosage available Note: There is no approved pediatric dosage for this drug. |
Administration
- Take on empty stomach
- Take 30 min before or 1 hour after meals
Side Effect
- GI disturbances eg nausea
- vomiting
- anorexia
- diarrhoea
- taste disturbances
- GI bleeding in peptic ulcer patients
- Orthostatic hypotension
- cardiac arrhythmias
- Psychiatric disturbances eg mild elation
- anxiety
- agitation
- insomnia
- drowsiness
- depression
- aggression
- hallucination
- Somnolence
- sudden onset of sleep episodes
- Abnormal involuntary movements eg dyskinesia
- dystonia
- chorea
- Haemolytic anemia
- transient leucopenia and thrombocytopenia
- Transient elevations of liver enzymes
- increased BUN and uric acid
Drug Interaction
Drug Interaction
| Drug Name | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
|
Tricyclic Antidepressants (Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxetine, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Venlafaxine, Duloxetine)
|
Increased postural hypotension and possible reduced absorption of Levodopa
|
|
Phenothiazines, butyrophenones, thioxanthenes, other antipsychotic agents, reserpine, papaverine, phenytoin, isoniazid
|
Reduced effects
|
Disease Interaction
Disease Interaction
| Disease Name | Risk Factors |
|---|---|
|
Concurrent Use of MAO Inhibitors
|
Risk of hypertensive crisis
|
|
Severe Psychoneuroses/Psychoses
|
Can worsen mental conditions
|
Pregnancy
Pregnancy
Lactation
Special Use
Precaution
Overdose
Pharmacology
Storage
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
Data Sources
Clinical & regulatory information on this page is compiled from the following government sources:
DISCLAIMER: This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment.