Inhaled Levodopa Effectively Maintains ON State in Parkinson Disease

[Farooqji]

Levodopa inhalation powder (Inbrija, Acorda Therapeutics) has demonstrated efficacy among individuals with Parkinson disease in achieving an ON state during OFF periods, as well as in gaining more dyskinesia-free ON time and lowering the daily amount of OFF time, according to research presented at the 2019 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, held May 4-10, 2019, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

neurologyadvisor.com/confer...

[sharoncrayn]

I have some concerns about the validity of this clinical trial since the levodopa inhalation powder was ADDED to the patient's daily regimen of carbidopa/levodopa by 84 milligrams. IOW, in some cases the addition of the powder practically doubled the daily dose of levodopa...(in addition to all their other numerous medications individuals were allowed to continue with).

Only mild to moderate PD patients were included in this trial.

However, given the reality that nasal inhalation improves the neuronal assimilation of many drugs, inhalation of levodopa powder probably has some value, particularly in short time response parameters.

[laglag]

I'm supposed to try it in a few weeks. Right now it doesn't look like insurance is going to pay for it or at least all of it. There's some type of committee that has to meet? They told me it would cost either $70 or $150 for 30 days. It usually takes 10 min to start working I believe it lasts at least 2 hrs. My doctor said she thinks it's great & the biggest disadvantage is it turns your spit gray. I said, well shouldn't be too bad I haven't spit on anyone lately.

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My MDS Doctor told me that this is only for those with terrible off periods. It is absorbed through the lungs, so I would be careful.