Levodopa

ATC Code N04BA01

Levodopa

Definition

An amino acid precursor of dopamine with antiparkinsonian properties. Levodopa is a prodrug that is converted to dopamine by DOPA decarboxylase and can cross the blood-brain barrier. When in the brain, levodopa is decarboxylated to dopamine and stimulates the dopaminergic receptors, thereby compensating for the depleted supply of endogenous dopamine seen in Parkinson's disease. To assure that adequate concentrations of levodopa reach the central nervous system, it is administered with carbidopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor that does not cross the blood-brain barrier, thereby diminishing the decarboxylation and inactivation of levodopa in peripheral tissues and increasing the delivery of dopamine to the CNS.

Also known as .beta.-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine, (--)-2Amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propanoic Acid, (--)-3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine, (-)-3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine, 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine, 3-Hydroxy-L-tyrosine, Bendopa, beta-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-alanine, Cidandopa, Deadopa, Dopaflex, Dopaidan, Dopal, Dopalina, Dopar, Doparkine, Doparl, Dopasol, Dopaston, Dopastral, Doprin, Eldopal, Eldopar, Eldopatec, Eurodopa, L-.beta.-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)alanine, L-DOPA, L(-)-Dopa, Laradopa, Larodopa, Ledopa, LEVODOPA, Levopa, Maipedopa, Parda, Veldopa — per NCIT

Also identified as

Indications

Disease Relation Source
Parkinson's disease may treat MEDRT · Public domain (U.S. Government work)

Organ Effects

Organ Side effect / interaction Source
Central nervous system may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0
Nervous system may treat a disease of this organ DERIVED · CC BY 4.0

2 entries above are marked DERIVED: Atlas Médico inferred them by combining two sourced claims, and no source asserts these links directly. Treat them as a navigation aid, not as a clinical statement.