Biomaterial Database

Comparison of dopa decarboxylase inhibitor (carbidopa) combined with levodopa and levodopa alone in Parkinson's disease. 1975

A Lieberman, and A Goodgold, and S Jonas, and M Leibowitz

A double-blind study comparing the effects of carbidopa and levodopa combined in a single tablet with levodopa alone was undertaken in 50 patients with Parkinson's disease. After 6 months, there was a statistically significant improvement over baseline in total score, rigidity, and tremor only in the patients randomized to carbidopa/levodopa. In addition, 40 percent of the patients treated with carbidopa/levodopa showed obvious clinical improvement (a greater than 50 percent reduction in their total score) over treatment with levodopa alone. However, after 2 years, only 20 percent continued to show this improvement. Nausea, vomiting, and anorexia developed in 56 percent of patients on levodopa but in only 27 percent of patients on carbidopa/levodopa. However, abnormal involuntary movements, observed in 48 percent of patients on levodopa, were present in 77 percent of patients on carbidopa/levodopa. Despite the increase in abnormal involuntary movements, carbidopa/levodopa is more effective than levodopa.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007980	Levodopa	The naturally occurring form of DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE and the immediate precursor of DOPAMINE. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to DOPAMINE. It is used for the treatment of PARKINSONIAN DISORDERS and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system.	L-Dopa,3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine,Dopaflex,Dopar,L-3,4-Dihydroxyphenylalanine,Larodopa,Levopa,3 Hydroxy L tyrosine,L 3,4 Dihydroxyphenylalanine,L Dopa
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009069	Movement Disorders	Syndromes which feature DYSKINESIAS as a cardinal manifestation of the disease process. Included in this category are degenerative, hereditary, post-infectious, medication-induced, post-inflammatory, and post-traumatic conditions.	Dyskinesia Syndromes,Etat Marbre,Status Marmoratus,Movement Disorder Syndromes,Dyskinesia Syndrome,Movement Disorder,Movement Disorder Syndrome
D010300	Parkinson Disease	A progressive, degenerative neurologic disease characterized by a TREMOR that is maximal at rest, retropulsion (i.e. a tendency to fall backwards), rigidity, stooped posture, slowness of voluntary movements, and a masklike facial expression. Pathologic features include loss of melanin containing neurons in the substantia nigra and other pigmented nuclei of the brainstem. LEWY BODIES are present in the substantia nigra and locus coeruleus but may also be found in a related condition (LEWY BODY DISEASE, DIFFUSE) characterized by dementia in combination with varying degrees of parkinsonism. (Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1059, pp1067-75)	Idiopathic Parkinson Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson Disease,Paralysis Agitans,Primary Parkinsonism,Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease,Lewy Body Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease,Parkinson's Disease, Idiopathic,Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body,Parkinsonism, Primary
D002230	Carbidopa	An inhibitor of DOPA DECARBOXYLASE that prevents conversion of LEVODOPA to dopamine. It is used in PARKINSON DISEASE to reduce peripheral adverse effects of LEVODOPA. It has no anti-parkinson activity by itself.	Methyldopahydrazine,Carbidopa, (R)-Isomer,Carbidopa, (S)-Isomer,Lodosin,Lodosyn,MK-485,MK-486,MK 485,MK 486,MK485,MK486
D002986	Clinical Trials as Topic	Works about pre-planned studies of the safety, efficacy, or optimum dosage schedule (if appropriate) of one or more diagnostic, therapeutic, or prophylactic drugs, devices, or techniques selected according to predetermined criteria of eligibility and observed for predefined evidence of favorable and unfavorable effects. This concept includes clinical trials conducted both in the U.S. and in other countries.	Clinical Trial as Topic
D004338	Drug Combinations	Single preparations containing two or more active agents, for the purpose of their concurrent administration as a fixed dose mixture.	Drug Combination,Combination, Drug,Combinations, Drug
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man