Summary
FIFTY consecutive patients with Parkinson’s disease were treated with maximum tolerated doses of laevodopa for periods of 6 to 18 months. Twenty-four patients gave an excellent response and another fourteen showed significant improvement. Of the major manifestations of the disease, akinesia improved most and tremor least. Evidence of toxicity included gastro-intestinal disturbances, postural hypotension, involuntary movements, and mental changes. The maximum therapeutic response occurred within a dosage range of 3 to 8 g per day and the optimal dose and schedule had to be determined for each individual patient. It is concluded that laevodopa is the most effective agent available at the present time for treatment of Parkinson’s disease, regardless of aetiology or severity.
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Murphy, S.F. Treatment of Parkinsonism with laevodopa. Ir J Med Sci 140, 99–107 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939866
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02939866