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Controlled release levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet CR4) in Parkinson's disease – an open evaluation of efficacy and safety
Author(s) -
Bulling M.T.,
Wing L.M.H.,
Burns R.J.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.596
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-5994
pISSN - 0004-8291
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-5994.1991.tb01337.x
Subject(s) - carbidopa , medicine , levodopa , adverse effect , parkinson's disease , anesthesia , disease
Twenty patients with moderately severe Parkinson's disease entered an open study of the efficacy and safety of a slow release preparation containing levodopa 200mg and carbidopa 50mg per tablet (‘Sinemet CR4’). Following an initial four week baseline stabilisation period on conventional ‘Sinemet’ tablets, the patients were transferred to ‘Sinemet CR4’ and observed at intervals over the next 12 months. Fifteen patients completed the full year observation period. When compared with the baseline period, treatment with ‘Sinemet CR4’ was associated with longer periods of functional improvement and less fluctuation of response following each dose. The median (range) dose frequency was reduced from three (three‐12) to two (two‐seven) times daily (p< 0.001) on ‘Sinemet CR4’ although median (range) total daily dose of levodopa was increased from 700 (375–2525) to 800 (400–2800) mg without any increase in adverse effects. Three patients developed peripheral neuropathy while receiving Sinemet CR4, but the association with this therapy is unclear. Overall ‘Sinemet CR4’ allowed a longer dosage interval and provided more stable control of disease manifestations than conventional ‘Sinemet’. (Aust NZ J Med 1991; 21: 397–400.)