>>>Joao Paulo Carvalho wrote:
Is 75 mg of Carbidopa really necessary?<<<
Hello Joao:
Clinical tests show that in order for carbidopa to properly
inhibit the absorption of the levodopa in the gut before it
crosses the blood-brain barrier, blood plasma levels require
approximately 75 mg for optimum results.
Using the usual Sinemet dosage of 25/100 would seem to
call for three tablets per day = 75 mg carbidopa + 300 mg
levodopa. For medication of less than 300 mg levodopa and
less than 75 mg of carbidopa per day, perhaps the patient
isn't receiving the full benefit of the levodopa in the brain
because more of it is being absorbed in the stomach and
lower intestine?
I am not familiar with the properties of Madopar.
A neurologist should be able to measure the blood
plasma levels of levodopa in the patient to determine just how
much levodopa is flowing to the brain.
Stephan 52/6
