Levodopa is a medication used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's-like symptoms, including tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. It is a precursor to dopamine and works by being converted to dopamine in the brain. Levodopa is almost always given in combination with carbidopa, which reduces or prevents the nausea that levodopa alone can cause. This medication is available in various forms, including pills, capsules, orally disintegrating tablets, and an intestinal gel. It is considered the most potent medication for managing Parkinson's motor symptoms and is typically prescribed once symptoms become more pronounced
. Common side effects of levodopa include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, lightheadedness, lowered blood pressure, confusion, dyskinesia, hallucinations, and sleepiness. These side effects can be minimized when levodopa is combined with carbidopa
