Levodopa

Levodopa - or 'L-dopa,' has been demonstrated to be the most effective treatment available for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa that enters the brain is rapidly converted into dopamine by the enzyme, dopa-decarboxylase, in neurons. This helps to restore the imbalance in the basal ganglia caused by the deficiency of dopamine.

There are so many types of levodopa on the market that medications can be confusing to patients - and physicians. Levodopa is sold in both branded and generic forms of varying doses, as well as different formulations, such as immediate- or slow-release. Levodopa is marketed in the US as Dopar® and Larodopa®.

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