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Hello friends, I have been watching the (surprisingly long) debate about Breaking Sinemet CRs or not, with a familiar sense of deja vu. I realised what it was when someone quoted something I wrote back in 1987! I suppose we are bound to get these repeating themes as new PWP's come on line. However, there is one aspect that has not been covered,and that is WHY? Why does it matter whether you break the CR tablet or not. I can assure you that it is important: The rate of release of levadopa is the magic target which we are all trying to achieve. The actual number depends on the digestive system of the PWP combined with the rate of breakdown of the Dopamine in the brain. It is this continual breakdown which turns the system into a flowing one, and that is why we can achieve some control by the unlikely process of taking tablets. A Sinemet CR (200mg levodopa) takes (in my particular case) 4 hours to dissolve. This means a rate of release of 50 mg per hour (on average). The bad news for me is that I know that for me the correct target is 37 mg/hour. If I take a Sinemet CR at 50 mg/hr it would constitute an overdose and I would have to cope with some highly unpleasant dyskinesias. Please bear in mind that I have had PD for 25 years (Diagnosed 19 yrs ago) so I am very sensitive to these things. These remarks are relevant if you have had PD for more than about 7 years Regards, -- Brian Collins <[log in to unmask]>