First clinical experience with levodopa/carbidopa microtablets in Parkinson's disease

Acta Neurol Scand. 2017 Dec;136(6):727-731. doi: 10.1111/ane.12756. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Abstract

Background: Levodopa is the most effective symptomatic treatment throughout the course of Parkinson's disease, but as the disease progresses, there may be a need for individualized, fine-tuned treatments.

Aim: To evaluate individualized levodopa/carbidopa dosing using microtablets dispensed with a dose dispenser, with respect to efficacy and usability as perceived by patients.

Methods: Patient records and dose dispenser reports from patients previously or currently treated with microtablets and a dose dispenser were reviewed, and a patient questionnaire concerning effect and usability was sent to patients.

Results: Eleven patient records, four dose dispenser reports and nine survey responses were obtained. The treatment effect was considered to be improved by six of nine patients. One-third found their bradykinesia to be improved, and the non-troublesome dyskinesia was unchanged according to a majority of patients; however, some experienced the duration and magnitude of troublesome dyskinesia to be worse. The usability was generally rated as good. The four dose dispenser reports obtained showed 97(±5)% total adherence.

Conclusions: The experienced effect of treatment can, for some patients, be improved by the use of microtablets, and the dose dispenser was considered user-friendly. Further studies with a larger study population and prospective design are needed to confirm the results.

Keywords: Parkinson's disease; carbidopa; dose dispenser; levodopa; microtablets; pharmacotherapy.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carbidopa / administration & dosage*
  • Carbidopa / adverse effects
  • Carbidopa / therapeutic use
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / administration & dosage*
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Tablets

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Tablets
  • carbidopa, levodopa drug combination
  • Levodopa
  • Carbidopa