Peripheral pharmacokinetics of levodopa in untreated, stable, and fluctuating parkinsonian patients

S. T. Gancher, J. G. Nutt, W. R. Woodward

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

124 Scopus citations

Abstract

We compared the pharmacokinetics of oral and IV infusions of levodopa in untreated, stable, and fluctuating patients pretreated with carbidopa. After oral dosing, mean peak plasma levodopa levels, time to peak level concentration after oral levodopa, and area under the curve were similar in all groups. Absorption was proportional to dose. Plasma elimination half-lives, clearance rates, and volumes of distribution after levodopa infusions were similar in all groups. 3–0-Methyldopa levels were similar in stable and fluctuating subjects. We conclude that the peripheral pharmacokinetics of levodopa do not differ between untreated, stable, and fluctuating patients, and that altered peripheral kinetics of the drug are unlikely to explain the development of the fluctuating state.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)940-944
Number of pages5
JournalNeurology
Volume37
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1987

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Peripheral pharmacokinetics of levodopa in untreated, stable, and fluctuating parkinsonian patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this