LEVODOPA, MELANOMA, AND PARKINSONS-DISEASE

Previous reports and the Physicians' Desk Reference caution against th e use of levodopa in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with melanoma. A critical review of the literature reveals only anecdotal evidence to support a link between levodopa and melanoma. In fact, levodopa has a n antitumor effect on melanoma. We report nine patients with PD and me lanoma who were treated with levodopa/carbidopa (L/C). Current evidenc e suggests that L/C can be used safely in PD patients with a history o f melanoma.