"Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva": instructions for use, analogues and reviews

What can replace such a drug as "Levodopa / Benserazid"?Analogs of this drug will be discussed at the end of the article. We will also present the pharmacological characteristics of this drug, its form of release, indications and methods of application.

Form, composition, packaging

The drug "Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva", the instruction of which is enclosed in a cardboard box, is available in the form of tablets packed in 30, 20, 60 or 50 bottles. The main substances of this drug are benserazid and levodopa. As for the additional components, they include: mannitol, calcium hydrophosphate( anhydrous), MCC, crospovidone, pregelatinized corn starch, silicon dioxide colloid, povidone K25, magnesium stearate and iron dye red oxide.

Pharmacological characteristics

The drug "Levodopa / Benserazid" is a combined antiparkinsonian agent that includes a inhibitor of decarboxylase( peripheric) aromatic L-amino acids and a precursor of dopamine.

In parkinsonism, dopamine is secreted from basal nuclei in insufficient quantities. Its replacement is carried out by taking levodopa, which is a metabolic precursor of dopamine.

The largest part of this element in peripheral tissues is converted to dopamine, which does not participate in the anti-Parkinsonian effect, as it poorly penetrates the BBB, and is also responsible for most adverse reactions.

Kinetics of the drug

How do specialists characterize the drug in question, or rather its kinetic-technological process? Levodopa with benserazid absorbed mainly in the small intestine. When taking the medicine inside, the peak of its concentration is reached after approximately 65 minutes.

It should be specially noted that the absorption of these elements depends on the intragastric pH, as well as on the rate of excretion of the stomach contents.

When taking levodopa immediately after a meal, its highest concentration in plasma is about 30% less, and the degree of absorption is 15% lower.

In large quantities this drug is found in the small intestine, kidney and liver. In this case, only 1% penetrates the brain.

The elimination half-life of the drug in question is three hours.

Unlike levodopa, a component of the drug, like benserazide, does not penetrate the BBB.This substance accumulates in the lung tissue, kidneys, liver and small intestine.

When appointed?

The drug "Levodopa / Benserazid" is anti-Parkinsonian. Therefore, it is advisable to prescribe with:

• Parkinsonism syndrome( the exception is the syndrome caused by taking antipsychotic medications);
• of Parkinson's disease;
• restless legs syndrome, including in people with chronic kidney failure who receive dialysis.

Prohibitions on the use of

Are there any contraindications to the medicament "Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva"( testimonials indicating their validity, we will consider below)?This drug is prohibited for prescribing for:

• mental illness;
• hypersensitivity to the elements of the agent;
• severe disorders in the endocrine system, as well as vessels and heart;
• kidney and liver disease, except for the development of restless legs syndrome with the joint preparation of dialysis;
• of lactation;
• glaucoma is an angle-closure;
• concurrent use of nonselective MAO inhibitors;
• pregnancy;
• under the age of 25;
• in reproductive age in women who do not use reliable methods of contraception.

"Levodopa / Benserazide": trade name, method of application

You can buy this medication at any pharmacy. The commercial name of this drug is "Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva."

In what dosage is the prescription medication prescribed for patients? Treatment with this drug begins with a small dose, which is gradually increased( for each patient individually).

According to the experts, high doses of this drug should be avoided. The following dosing regimen should be considered as a general recommendation.

"Levodopa / Benserazide" should be taken orally at least half an hour before or 65 minutes after a meal.

People who had previously taken this drug are recommended to use 12.5 / 50 mg of benserazide and levodopa four times a day at the beginning of therapy. If the drug is well tolerated, this dosage is increased by the same amount every three days. Further selection of the dose is carried out at a frequency of once every 30 days.

As a rule, the therapeutic effect after the application of this drug is noted already with the intake of 100 mg of benserazide and 400 mg of levodopa per day.

The highest dosage of this drug per day is 800/200 mg of levodopa and benserazide, respectively. This amount of medicine should be divided into 4 or more receptions. At the same time, they should be distributed in such a way as to provide the patient with the optimal therapeutic effect.

If unwanted reactions develop, either increase or decrease the dose.

Dosage regimen in special clinical cases

How should I take Levodopa / Benserazide medication? Experts say that patients experiencing strong motor fluctuations, the daily dose of this drug should be divided by more than 4 admission.

In the elderly, the increase in dosage should be slower.

The experience of using the drug in adolescents and children is limited.

For hepatic and renal insufficiency, correction of the dose of the drug is not required.

When developing spontaneous movements, especially in later stages of treatment, it is recommended to reduce dosage. The same goes for the undesirable consequences of the CAS.

Symptoms of an overdose of

Taking higher doses of Levodopa / Benserazide, the synonyms of which will be presented below, can cause symptoms such as nausea, arrhythmia, involuntary movements of a pathological nature, insomnia, vomiting, confusion. It should also be noted that the development of such symptoms may be delayed due to a delayed absorption of the drug from the digestive tract.

For the treatment of the described conditions, symptomatic therapy is performed( prescribe antiarrhythmics, respiratory analeptics and antipsychotics), as well as regularly monitor the vital functions of the body.

Interaction of

The drug "Levodopa / Benserazide" interacts with other drugs as follows:

• Receiving trihexyphenidyl reduces the rate, but not the degree of absorption of levodopa.
• Hypotensive drugs, opioids, antipsychotics and remedies containing reserpine inhibit the action of the described drug.
• Application with antacids helps to reduce the absorption of the agent by 32%.
• Metoclopramide increases the rate of absorption of levodopa.
• The administration of pyridoxine reduces the anti-Parkinsonian action of the drug.
• Levodopa and benserazide should not be used together with nonselective MAO inhibitors.
• This medication potentiates the action of sympathomimetics.
• The administration of levodopa and benserazide with other antiparkinsonian drugs increases the desired and undesirable effects.

Special Information

A full medical examination should be performed before taking Levodopa / Benserazide. This is due to the fact that there are a number of diseases in which this drug should be used with extreme caution:

• In the presence of open-angle glaucoma, the course of therapy does not begin until the patient is completely cured.
• It is forbidden to abruptly cancel the drug "Halothane", as it may contribute to the development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome with general anesthesia.

It should also be noted that at the very beginning of the medication the patient's physiological parameters can change. In this regard, during the treatment it is required to regularly take tests to monitor the normal functioning of all internal organs.

People with diabetes should check their blood glucose several times a day.

The cost of the drug and its analogues / synonyms

How much is a medication such as "Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva"?The price of this medicine depends on the number of tablets in the package. As a rule, it varies between 600 and 1250 rubles.

How can I replace the antiparkinsonian drug under consideration? Its main analogues and synonyms include the following: Zimox, Duellin, Izik, Nakom, Dopar 275, Karbidopa / Levodopa, Sinemet, Sindopa, Tidomet, Tremonorm. "It should be noted immediately that the pharmacological features and methods of using these drugs can significantly differ from the above. Therefore, replacing them with "Levodopa / Benserazid-Teva" follows only the doctor's recommendations.

Reviews about the effectiveness of the drug

It is not a secret for anyone that Parkinson's disease is an extremely serious disease. In addition, this is a serious test for the patient and his close people.

According to reviews of specialists and consumers, during treatment this medication acts on all patients in different ways. Sometimes even under the strict supervision of a doctor with prolonged taking of tablets in sick people, there are increased irritability and attacks of aggression. Also there are side reactions in the form of hallucinations and dizziness.

With a decrease in dosage in some patients, the signs of mental disorders disappear, and the motor function is not disturbed. However, in other patients, even after complete discontinuation of the drug, all mental disorders persist. In addition, their motor function is significantly worse.

In connection with all of the above, it can be safely concluded that when taking the drug in question it is necessary to be prepared for the development of serious side effects, which were mentioned above.

According to reports of specialists, the process of treatment with an antiparkinsonian drug should only take place under the strict supervision of a doctor. This will allow to track even the slightest changes in the patient's condition from the cardiovascular system and the psyche, and, if necessary, react in a timely manner.