Has anyone considered the possibility that the artificial sweetener Aspartame (marketed under the brand name Nutrasweet) may interfere with the absorption of levodopa. Chemically they are closely related both containing phenylalanine; as the absorption of proteins is competitive it seems likely that there may be some effect. At the subjective level, I thought that my levodopa dosage was less effective when I drank large quantities of blackcurrent cordial sweetened with Nutrasweet but did not have the same problem with the same stuff sweetened with sugar. I have not seen any reference to aspartame/nutrasweet with regard to levodopa in any of the literature. Any information would be appreciated. Andrew Wake Faculty of Education Central Queensland University Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia 4700 Phone 079 309694 Fax 079 309604 [log in to unmask]