FLUCTUATIONS IN PLASMA LEVODOPA AND MOTOR-RESPONSES WITH LIQUID AND TABLET LEVODOPA CARBIDOPA

To evaluate the ability of orally administered liquid levodopa/carbido pa (LD/CD) to stabilize plasma levodopa levels and reduce motor repons e fluctuations in Parkinson's disease, five patients received LD/CD ho urly, as standard tablets or as an aqueous solution on two separate da ys in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Except fo r a slightly earlier peak plasma levodopa level, no significant advant age of the liquid formulation over tablet therapy was found. However, liquid LD/CD could be helpful in quickly resolving ''off'' states and by facilitating small dose adjustments that are not possible with tabl ets.