A good article on Levodopa (dosage, toxicity, precautions etc)

[Farooqji]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK4....

[Gcf51]

"Studies have shown that levodopa toxicity can damage neuronal cells. The formation of free radicals once the body oxidizes levodopa can induce apoptosis (cell death). Also, dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels can rise in the blood when levodopa undergoes decarboxylation in the periphery. The rise in catecholamines activates alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors and results in toxic effects."

So maybe I didn't error in my healthunlocked.com/cure-par...

But, there's no mention of treatment for toxicity of l-dopa.

What are the symptoms of high catecholamines? << The release of catecholamines can cause persistent or episodic high blood pressure, headache, sweating and other symptoms. If left untreated, a pheochromocytoma can result in severe or life-threatening damage to other body systems, especially the cardiovascular system. << My MDS would argue use of C/L lowers blood pressure.

[CuriousMe12]

Be good if the study had went into more detail:

"Long-term use of levodopa can lead to other complications. The patients' quality of life can be negatively affected because of irreversible motor function changes from drug use. These motor complications present in about 50% of patients using levodopa for 5 to 10 years. The motor complications increase depending on whether the onset of Parkinson disease was at an early age."

[Gcf51 in reply to CuriousMe12]

I have read, patients prefer the complications and continue the C/L.

[Gcf51]

"Patients should avoid high-fat, high-calorie meals..." My opinion avoiding high-fat is only advisable, when taking time-release. If you do the 1 hr 2 hr with meals no harm in high protein.

[Gcf51]

Yes good article.

Thanks for posting...

[Trig27]

This is cursory. There are a lot of complications related to oral c/l. Rich literature on vitamin deficiencies caused by peripheral metabolism of C/D for one. Once the subcutaneous pump is in wide use I expect a big upgrade in quality of life for PD patients. In the meantime if you can exercise then exercise. And change your diet off the SAD.

[Rupa88 in reply to Trig27]

I have a high hope in SC dopamine too

[Jana86 in reply to Trig27]

Agree, but why is the FDA withholding approval? The subcutaneous pump is available in Japan and Europe...why not here?

[saf2825]

It should be considered that:

Levodopa is toxic to dopamine neurons in vitro but not an in vivo model of oxidative stress

Levodopa is the "gold standard" for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). There is a theoretical concern, however, that levodopa might accelerate the rate of nigral degeneration, because it undergoes oxidative metabolism and is toxic to cultured dopaminergic neurons. Most in vivo studies do not show evidence of levodopa toxicity; levodopa is not toxic to normal rodents, nonhuman primates, or humans and is not toxic to dopamine neurons in dopamine-lesioned rodents or nonhuman primates in most studies. However, the potential for levodopa to be toxic in vivo has not been tested under conditions of oxidative stress such as exist in PD. To assess whether levodopa is toxic under these circumstances, we have examined the effects of levodopa on dopamine neurons in mesencephalic cultures and rat pups in which glutathione synthesis has been inhibited by L-buthionine sulfoximine. Levodopa toxicity to cultured dopaminergic neurons was enhanced by glutathione depletion and diminished by antioxidants. In contrast, treatment of neonatal rats with levodopa, administered either alone or in combination with glutathione depletion, did not cause damage to the dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra or changes in striatal levels of dopamine and its metabolites. This study provides further evidence to support the notion that although levodopa can be toxic to dopamine neurons in vitro, it is not likely to be toxic to dopamine neurons in vivo and specifically in conditions such as PD.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/125...

[Gcf51 in reply to saf2825]

Or so, Big Pharma wants us to believe. Well not necessary just Big Pharma, It's one of the main drugs prescribed by doctors and our doctors want us to believe.

[Gymsack in reply to Gcf51]

so what would it take

who would you believe

[Gcf51 in reply to Gymsack]

We have to trust our doctors. We have to trust FDA that they have weighed to Pro's and Con's.

[saf2825 in reply to Gcf51]

Hi Gcf51,

Or It leads to Levodopa Phobia which is more harmful for people who really need it.