Levodopa & benserazide is indicated for the treatment of all forms of Parkinson's syndrome with the exception of medicine-induced parkinsonism. Levodopa & benserazide dispersible is a formulation which is suitable for patients with dysphagia (difficulties in swallowing) or who require a formulation ... Read moreLevodopa & benserazide is indicated for the treatment of all forms of Parkinson's syndrome with the exception of medicine-induced parkinsonism. Levodopa & benserazide dispersible is a formulation which is suitable for patients with dysphagia (difficulties in swallowing) or who require a formulation with a more rapid onset of action, e.g. patients suffering from early morning and afternoon akinesia, or who exhibit "delayed on" or "wearing off" phenomena. Levodopa & benserazide HBS is indicated for patients presenting with all types of fluctuations in response, especially those related to fluctuations in plasma levels (i.e. "peak dose dyskinesia" and "end of dose deterioration") and for better control of nocturnal symptoms. Further experience is required to determine whether it is also advantageous to use Levodopa & benserazide HBS in new Parkinson patients.

This combination is contraindicated in: Patients with known hypersensitivity to levodopa or benserazide or any of the excipients. Patients receiving non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors due to the risk of hypertensive crisis. However, selective MAO-B inhibitors, such as selegiline and rasagiline, or selective MAO-A inhibitors, such as moclobemide, are not contraindicated. Combination of MAO-A and MAO-B inhibitors is equivalent to non-selective MAO inhibition, and hence this combination should not be given concomitantly with this combination. Patients with decompensated endocrine, renal or hepatic function, cardiac disorders, psychiatric diseases with a psychotic component or closed angle glaucoma. Because levodopa may activate a malignant melanoma, this combination should not be used in patients with suspicious, undiagnosed lesions or a history of melanoma. The management of patients with intention tremor and Huntington’s chorea. Patients less than 30 years old (skeletal development must be complete).

Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.

Antiparkinson drugs

Dopamine, which acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, is not present in sufficient quantities in the basal ganglia of parkinsonian patients. Levodopa or L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy phenylalanine) is an intermediate in dopamine biosynthesis. Levodopa (dopamine precursor) is used as a prodrug to increase dopamine levels since it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier whereas dopamine itself cannot. Once levodopa has entered the central nervous system, it is metabolised to dopamine by aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase After administration, levodopa is rapidly decarboxylated to dopamine in extracerebral as well as cerebral tissues. As a result, most of the levodopa administered is not available to the basal ganglia, and the dopamine produced peripherally frequently causes unwanted effects. It is therefore particularly desirable to inhibit extracerebral decarboxylation of levodopa. This can be achieved by simultaneous administration of levodopa and benserazide, a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. This preparation is a combination of these two substances in a ratio of 4:1- this ratio having proved optimal in clinical trials and therapeutic use- and is just as effective as large doses of levodopa given alone.

Pregnancy Category B3. This combination is contraindicated during pregnancy and in women of childbearing potential in the absence of adequate contraception. If pregnancy occurs in a woman taking this combination, the medicine must be discontinued (as advised by the prescribing physician). The safe use of this combination during lactation has not been established. Since it is not known whether benserazide passes into breast milk, mothers requiring this combination treatment should not nurse their infants, since the occurrence of skeletal malformations in the infants cannot be excluded.