Levodopa

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the use of Levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. The paper looks at several conditions where levodopa is contraindicated and explains how levodopa interacts with other drugs. The paper then lists levodopa's side effects and its "wearing-off" effect. IN addition, the paper discusses the need for the proper intake of levodopa and for the collaboration of the family, patient and health care team.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction of Levodopa

From the Paper:

"Levodopa is the gold standard of treatment for Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is manifested with tremors, stiffness, bradykinesia, and slow movements. Levodopa is an amino acid precursor of dopamine. The combination of carbidopa to levodopa blocks enzymes that could possibly deactivate levodopa prior to entering the blood brain barrier. The successful treatment of Parkinsonian symptoms with levodopa results in the reduction of these symptoms. Common adverse effects are multisystemic. The "wearing-off' effect of levodopa is a concern to those who have been taking this drug."

Sample of Sources Used:

• International Programme on Chemical Safety. Levodopa. [Online.] Retrieved 28 June 2008 from the Web site: http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/pharm/levedopa.htm#SectionTitle:4.1%20Indications
• Lees, A., Fahn, S., Poungvarin, N., and Tolosa, E. (1 Nov 2006). Levodopa: the gold standard in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. [Online.] Retrieved 28 June 2008 from the Web site: http://www.movementdisorders.org/education/onlinecme/levodopa/print.pdf
• National Institutes of Health. (26 June 2008). Levodopa and cabidopa. [Online.] Retrieved 29 June 2008 from the Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a601068.html
• News-Medical.Net. (23 Oct 2005). Dopamine link to psychiatric and neurology disorders. [Online.] Retrieved 28 June 2008 from the Web site: http://www.news-medical.net/?id=13972
• Novartis. (2008). Stalevo. [Online.] Retrieved 28 June 2008 from the Web site: http://drugs-about.com/drugs/stalevo/stalevo.pdf

More papers on Levodopa:

• Essay # 70549 : "Sinemet"
• Descriptive Essay # 104519 : "Parkinson's Disease (PD)"

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