Meta Information
ID:levodopa
Name:Levodopa
Schema Version:1.5
Alternate Names
- L-DOPA
Active Compound
levodopa
Intervention Type
therapeutic_agent
Delivery
Route:
oral
Scope:
- systemic
Regulatory Status
- us:rx_drug
- eu:rx_drug
Indication
Focus:
disease_treatment
Description:
Treatment of motor symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and dopamine-responsive dystonia.
Typical Protocol
- Initial doses are typically low, around 50-100 mg taken 1-3 times per day.
- Dosage is gradually titrated upwards by a physician based on clinical response and side effects.
- Almost always co-administered with a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor like carbidopa or benserazide to increase efficacy and reduce side effects.
Expected Cost Mean
Low Cost:
20
High Cost:
200
Cost Type:
monthly
Description:
Generic versions are often affordable; typically covered by insurance for indicated conditions.
Summary
Levodopa is a metabolic precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine. It crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted into dopamine, replenishing depleted levels in the brains of individuals with Parkinson's disease. This action directly alleviates motor symptoms like tremors, rigidity, and slowness of movement, making it the most effective symptomatic therapy for the condition.
Purpose
Restores brain dopamine levels to treat Parkinson's disease motor symptoms.
Card Summary
A precursor to dopamine, used as a primary treatment to manage motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Drug Class
dopamine_precursor
Drugs In Class
Empty Array
Impact
Score:
8.5
Justification:
Gold-standard, highly effective symptomatic treatment for motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Evidence
Grade:
A
Score:
9.8
Justification:
Decades of extensive, high-quality human RCTs and meta-analyses confirm its efficacy.
Safety
Score:
7.2
Justification:
Significant long-term side effects like dyskinesias and motor fluctuations require careful management.
Flags
- Long-term use is associated with motor complications, including dyskinesias (involuntary movements) and 'on-off' fluctuations.
- Common side effects include nausea, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension.
- May cause psychiatric side effects such as hallucinations, confusion, and impulse control disorders.
- Should not be used for any healthspan purpose due to its significant side effect profile.
- Interacts with non-selective MAO inhibitors, antipsychotics, and certain antihypertensives.
Verdict
Essential for Parkinson's treatment; inappropriate and risky for healthspan purposes.
Created
2026-04-30T01:27:21.797568Z
Ai Model
Gemini 2.5 Pro (High)
Non Healthspan
True