Open AccessGold Standard of Symptomatic treatment in Parkinson disease: Carbidopa / Levodopa
Author(s) -
Aslam Pathan,
Abdulrahman Alshahrani
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
neuropharmac journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-3927
DOI - 10.37881/1.331
Subject(s) - carbidopa , levodopa , decarboxylase inhibitor , medicine , parkinson's disease , adverse effect , disease , gold standard (test) , intensive care medicine , pediatrics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurologic disorders, affecting approximately 1% of individuals older than 60 years and causing progressive disability that can be slowed but not halted, by treatment. The goal of the medical management of Parkinson's disease is to provide control of signs and symptoms for as long as possible while minimizing adverse effects. Levodopa coupled with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (PDI), such as carbidopa, remains the gold standard of symptomatic treatment of motor features of Parkinson's disease. It provides the greatest antiparkinsonian benefit with the fewest adverse effects in the short term. However, its long-term use is associated with the development of fluctuations and dyskinesias. This review article is written to summarize the clinical and pharmacological data of carbidopa and levodopa which will be helpful to neurologists and physicians.