Levodopa

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Levodopa

Levodopa (pronounced: leh-voe-DOE-puh), also known as L-DOPA or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, is a naturally occurring dietary supplement and psychoactive drug found in certain kinds of food and herbs. It is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and Dopa-Responsive Dystonia.

Etymology

The term "Levodopa" is derived from its chemical name, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine. The "L" refers to the levorotatory stereoisomer, "dopa" is an acronym for dihydroxyphenylalanine.

Usage

Levodopa is used primarily to replenish the diminished supply of dopamine in Parkinson's patients. It is the most widely used treatment for the disease and is typically administered in combination with carbidopa or benserazide, which prevent the conversion of levodopa into dopamine outside the brain.

Side Effects

Common side effects of levodopa treatment include nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and restlessness. More serious side effects can include psychosis, dyskinesia, and a phenomenon known as "on-off" fluctuations, where the patient's mobility fluctuates between periods of improved mobility ("on" periods) and periods of poor mobility ("off" periods).

Related Terms

  • Dopamine: A type of neurotransmitter, a chemical responsible for transmitting signals in the brain.
  • Parkinson's disease: A long-term degenerative disorder of the nervous system that mainly affects the motor system.
  • Dopa-Responsive Dystonia: A condition characterized by dystonia and a dramatic response to levodopa.
  • Carbidopa: A drug given with levodopa to increase the amount of levodopa that reaches the brain and to reduce side effects.
  • Benserazide: A decarboxylase inhibitor that is often combined with levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

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