New levodopa therapeutic strategies

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2016

Publication Title

Parkinsonism & related disorders

Abstract

During its almost half-century of use for treating Parkinson's disease, levodopa therapy has permitted most patients to reverse much of this disorder's symptomatology. However, the full range of its therapeutic properties is not completely understood, as levodopa is showing itself to be more than just a metabolic intermediate for dopamine synthesis. Improving the constancy of drug delivery is the next frontier for enhancing therapeutic options with levodopa. Because conventional immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa tablets yield such variable pharmacokinetic profiles (as do other marketed products attempting to extend levodopa effect), improved formulations are greatly needed by patients experiencing motor fluctuations. Products under development or recently released in the U.S. include intestinal infusion, sustained-release microtablets, gastric-retentive formulations, a levodopa pro-drug, and methods for delivery of the drug by inhalation or subcutaneous infusion.

Medical Subject Headings

Animals; Antiparkinson Agents; Drug Combinations; Drug Delivery Systems; Humans; Infusions, Parenteral; Infusions, Subcutaneous; Levodopa; Parkinson Disease

PubMed ID

26459662

Volume

22 Suppl 1

First Page

37

Last Page

40

Find It @ Sladen

Share

COinS