Question

A nursing student wants to know why a patient who has been taking levodopa [Dopar] for years will now receive levodopa/carbidopa [Sinemet]. The nurse explains the reasons that levodopa as a single agent is no longer available. Which statement by the student indicates a need for further education?

Answer 1

Hi !

Adding carbidopa to "levodopa "does not reduce the incidence of dyskinesias or psychosis. In fact, "carbidopa "can increase the intensity and the speed of onset of these effects.

"Carbidopa" inhibits decarboxylation of "levodopa" in the intestine and peripheral tissues, leading to more levodopa in the CNS.