Does tolerance develop to levodopa? Comparison of 2‐and 21‐h levodopa infusions

John G. Nutt, Julie H. Carter, William Woodward, John P. Hammerstad, Stephen T. Gancher

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

To determine if acute tolerance to levodopa develops, we compared the response to 2‐ and 21‐h levodopa infusions with the rate adjusted during the long infusion to yield the same plasma concentration as at the end of the 2‐h infusion. The duration of response after discontinuing the long infusions was briefer than after discontinuing the short infusion, suggesting the development of tolerance. Furthermore, dyskinesia severity was greater during long infusions. We conclude that continuous dopaminergic stimulation with levodopa may not offer optimal control of parkinsonism in patients with response fluctuations.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)139-143
Number of pages5
JournalMovement Disorders
Volume8
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1993

Keywords

  • Dyskinesia
  • Levodopa
  • Parkinsonism
  • Tolerance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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