Very often at the beginning of treatment, peripheral dopaminergic effects such as nausea and hypotension are observed. Other gastrointestinal complaints as well as cardiac irregularities (e.g. extrasystoles) and coronary symptoms occur.

In long-term treatment, involuntary movement and psychiatric disorders are the main problems: dyskinesias and fluctuation of motility ('on-off' and 'wearing-off') are often very disturbing. Elderly people, in particular, frequently have sleep disturbances, depressions, confusions, hallucinations, paranoid delusions, etc. Other side-effects (e.g. hemolytic anemias, exanthemas) are not common.

Levodopa: Interactions

Benzodiazepines, drugs with anticholinergic action and pyridoxine can reduce the effect of levodopa. Hypertensive reactions are possible with non-specific MAO inhibitors and sympathomimetic drugs.

Table of Contents | Indications | Pharmacology | Contraindications & Cautions | Risk Groups | References