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Camilla wrote: <<<I too have wanted hard info re: carbidopa/toxicity, since Peter's neuro had a similar reaction. He did not, however, question that not so much was needed, and assented readily to a reduction in amount. As for the book mentioned by a doc with PD, McGoon, we read it a year or so ago, but don't have it or recall the title. Our support group may have a copy. A call to a bookstore asking them to check under author's name in "Books in Print" should produce the info. Will be glad for any references anyone has, as SJS requested in original post. Camilla Flintermann,CG for Peter,78/7 Ohio>>> the book: The Parkinson Handbook Dr Dwight McGoon 1990 some info from Patrick on carbidopa: From: "Patrick J. Martin" <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Carbidopa Carbidopa is a non-selective inhibitor of decarboxylating enzymes in the digestive system. Levodopa(Ldopa) is a large "neutral" amino acid(LNAA) that can transfer through the blood/brain barrier and convert to dopamine that we need. This transfer is accomplished by the LNAA receptors in our blood. Only about 1% of the Ldopa makes its way into our brain. The remainder is digested and utilized elsewhere in our body -- as a source of dopamine at neurotransmitting sites and as building material for proteins. Carbidopa's intended task is to maximize the Ldopa survival in our digestive system until it is carried by an LNAA receptor to our brain. Now -- the bad news. Carbidopa is non-selective and inhibits the decarboxylation of other LNAA's derived from our digestion of proteins. These other "neutral" amino acids include most of our essential amino acids. Our digestive system responds by increasing our acid production, and retention. Our protein digestion, utilization, and competition for LNAA receptors gets screwed up, we get barfy, get gastric reflux, start swinging in the on/off mode, and starve ourselves to death.. So -- give it some thought -- keep your carbidopa input down to the level YOU find necessary to fit your pattern of protein types, protein timing, Ldopa timing, and everday activities. I find general agreement with the less-than-100mg/day limit. Factors that could affect this level are: my weight (150 pounds); my age(70); my years of parkinsonism(10); my years of carbidopa/Ldopa(7). Unfortunately, my need for Ldopa has reached 1000mg/day, so I am headed for troubled waters again. God bless us all Patrick J Martin<[log in to unmask]> (70,10) carbidopa/Ldopa 100/1000mg amantadine 100mg atenolol 50mg nifedipine 60mg(extended release) Vitamin C 1000mg E 400 IU -- ron 1936, dz PD 1984 Ridgecrest, California Ronald F. Vetter <[log in to unmask]> http://www.ridgecrest.ca.us/~rfvetter