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On Fri 07 Nov, Stephan Schwartz wrote: > Ron: > Re: adverse effects of carbidopa . . . > You recently posted some info on carbidopa and its > combination with levodopa to enhance the availability of > levodopa to the brain. . . and suggested: > "I do believe there is a need to study the potential problem of > over-dosing with carbidopa." > What about the pharmadynamics of Benserazide? This is > the ingrediant in Madopar (used outside U.S.A.) insted of > carbidopa. Is the optimum dose the same - 70 to 100 mg > per day? Is there any clinical data? > Stephan Schwartz 53/7 > <[log in to unmask]> > > > Hello Stephan, I have used Sinemet and Madopar interchangeably in the past and found the benserazide and carbidopa to be equal in the performance of their primary role - to protect the levodopa while in the blood stream (and the lower intestine?). It is used in the same proportions as Sinemet e.g. 25/100. As far as the secondary effects are concerned however, it may be that benserazide has an edge (Emphasize maybe). I offer 2 items. 1/ Madopar is not available in a 10/100 ratio like Sinemet (perhaps because Madopar does not need it ?) 2/ My friend in the local Derby branch of the PDS who holds the record (as far as I know) for levodopa intake (3000 mg per day !!) used to suffer badly from what I think in retrospect was Carbidopa poisoning : Tired, listless, nausea, etc. He switched to Madopar (same quantity of levodopa) and ALL his symptoms disappeared. He is now much more responsive than he used to be. I know it is only one case, but since it is such an extreme one it may be a good pointer. Regards, -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>