HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Koller, W. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Koller, W. C.

Alternate day levodopa therapy in parkinsonism

Department of Neurology, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL.

Chronic high dose levodopa therapy in Parkinson disease is associated with an apparent loss of efficacy and an increased prevalence of side effects which limit its effectiveness. The use of minimum dosage has therefore been recommended. We found that low-dose alternate-day levodopa provided adequate control of early but not late parkinsonism. Stable clinical responses occurred both on the day of drug administration and on the following day, although plasma dopa levels were negligible on the day when the drug was not given. Alternate-day therapy results in less cumulative dosage and may better preserve existing compensatory striatal activity, leading to more effective long-term treatment.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Koller, Neurology Service (127), VA Medical Center, P.O. Box 8195, Chicago, IL 60680.

This material was presented in part at Symposium, Experimental Therapeutics of Movement Disorders, at New York Academy of Medicine, May 26, 1981.

Accepted publication August 4, 1981.