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Levodopa and Sinemet Information

Levodopa is a prescription drug used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disorder in which the brain’s level of dopamine (a neurotransmitter) decreases. Levodopa works to control the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease by increasing the amount of dopamine in the body. It does this by converting into dopamine once it enters the body.

Unfortunately, levodopa can lead to undesirable side effects such as nausea and low blood pressure when it is taken alone. In order to avoid this, most people are given a combination of levodopa and a drug called carbidopa. This drug combination is known as Sinemet. When levodopa is taken without carbidopa, it converts into dopamine both within the brain and in other parts of the body. Sinemet only allows dopamine conversion within the brain.

Levodopa and Sinemet reduce Parkinson’s disease symptoms, including:

• Tremor
• Stiffness
• Slowness
• Impaired muscle control
• Difficulty with balance
• Walking difficulties

Side Effects of Levodopa

Over time, levodopa can cause serious side effects, including:

• Dyskinesia – impaired ability to control movements. Dyskinesia is characterized by jerky, repetitive motions as well as lack of coordination.
• Difficulty swallowing
• Increased hand tremor
• Numbness
• Teeth grinding
• Delusions and hallucinations
• Insomnia

What if Levodopa Does Not Reduce My Symptoms?

It is important to remember that levodopa and Sinemet only reduce the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. If these drugs do not alleviate your symptoms, then you may be suffering from some other disease with symptoms that are similar to Parkinson’s disease. Once such disease is manganism, which is caused by excessive exposure to manganese (manganese poisoning). People who are involved in the welding industry are especially prone to manganism. If you are a welder who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and are being treated with levodopa with no success, you may be suffering from manganism. To find out if you are suffering from manganism, click here for a free manganese poisoning screening.