What Is Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa Used For? (Cont.)

How Does Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa Work?

Dopamine deficiency (caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells) in certain parts of the brain may be responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Although it would make sense to give dopamine to help treat Parkinson's, this does not work, as dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, which means that the body can use levodopa to make dopamine. Unlike dopamine, levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier.
 
Levodopa is almost always given in combination with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain, preventing or diminishing some of the side effects that often accompany levodopa therapy. Carbidopa also reduces the amount of levodopa needed for Parkinson's disease treatment.
 

Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa Uses in Children

Orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa is not approved for use in children. Discuss the potential risks and benefits of the drug with your child's healthcare provider.
 

Off-Label Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa Uses

On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. Using it to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS) is an off-label use of the medication.
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;