What Are Surgical Procedures for Parkinsons Disease?
below.] • Research is ongoing to develop drugs and procedures that will manage advanced disease and possibly even reverse the process. [ See What Are Other Drugs Used for Parkinson’s Disease? below.] WHAT IS LEVADOPA (L-DOPA)? Levodopa, or L-dopa, which is converted to dopamine in the brain, remains the gold standard for treating Parkinson’s disease. The standard preparations (Sinemet, Atamet) combine levodopa with carbidopa, which improves the action of levodopa and reduces some of its side effects, particularly nausea. Levodopa can also be combined with benserazide (Madopar) with similar results, but Sinemet is almost always used in America. Dosages vary, although the preparation is usually taken in three or four divided doses per day. Indications of Early Treatment Success or Failures In general L-Dopa has the following effects on Parkinson’s disease: • It is most effective against rigidity and slowness. • It produces less benefit for tremor, balance, and gait. In half of Parkinson’
