Student Nurses’ Community

DRUG STUDY- Levodopa

Nursing
Drug Name Dosage & Route Action Indication Adverse Effects Contraindication
responsibility
Levodopa Adults Individualize Biochemical • Treatment of • CNS: Adventitious • Contraindicated • WARNING: Arrange
dosage. Increase precursor of the parkinsonism movement (eg, with to decrease dosage
(lee voe doe' pa) dosage gradually to neurotransmitter (postencephaliti dystonic hypersensitivity if therapy is
minimize side effects; dopamine, which is c, movements), to levodopa; interrupted; observe
titrate dosage deficient in the arteriosclerotic, ataxia, increased allergy to for the development
Dopar, Larodopa
carefully to optimize basal ganglia of and idiopathic hand tremor, tartrazine of suicidal
benefits and minimize parkinsonism types) and headache, (marketed as tendencies.
Classification: side effects. Initially, patients; unlike symptomatic dizziness, Dopar); • Give with meals if GI
0.5–1 g PO daily dopamine, parkinsonism, numbness, glaucoma, upset occurs.
Antiparkinsonian divided into two or levodopa following injury weakness and especially • Ensure that patient
more doses given penetrates the to the nervous faintness, bruxism, angle-closure voids before
with food. Increase blood–brain barrier. system by confusion, glaucoma; receiving dose if
gradually in It is transformed in carbon insomnia, history of urinary retention is a
increments not the brain to monoxide or nightmares, melanoma; problem.
exceeding 0.75 g/day dopamine; thus, manganese hallucinations and suspicious or
q 3–7 days as levodopa is a form • Monitor hepatic,
intoxication. delusions, agitation undiagnosed
tolerated. Do not of replacement renal, hematopoietic,
exceed 8 g/day, therapy. It is
• Given with and anxiety, skin lesions;
and CV function.
carbidopa malaise, fatigue, lactation.
except for efficacious for 2–5 • For patients who
exceptional patients. yr in relieving the (Lodosyn; fixed euphoria, mental • Use cautiously
take multivitamins
combinations, changes (including in psychiatric
A significant symptoms of paranoid ideation), provide Larobec, a
Sinemet), an patients,
therapeutic response parkinsonism but psychotic episodes, preparation without
enzyme especially the
may not be obtained not drug-induced depression with or pyridoxine.
inhibitor that depressed or
for 6 mo. extrapyramidal without suicidal
decreases the psychotic; and
disorders. tendencies, Teaching Point:
activity of dopa with severe CV
Pediatric Patients decarboxylase dementia, or pulmonary
Safety for use in in the bradykinesia ("on- disease; • Take this drug
children < 12 yr not periphery, thus off" phenomenon), occlusive exactly as
established. reducing blood muscle twitching cerebrovascula prescribed.
and
levels of
blepharospasm,
r disease; • Do not take
levodopa and history of MI multivitamin
decreasing the diplopia, blurred with residual preparations with
intensity and vision, dilated arrhythmias; pyridoxine. These
incidence of pupils. bronchial may prevent any
many of the • CV: Cardiac asthma; renal, therapeutic effect of
adverse effects irregularities, hepatic, levodopa. Notify
of levodopa. palpitations, endocrine your health care
• Unlabeled use: orthostatic disease; history provider if you need
Relief of herpes hypotension of peptic ulcer; vitamins.
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zoster • Dermatologic: pregnancy. • You may

(shingles) pain; Flushing, hot experience these
restless leg flashes, increased side effects:
syndrome. sweating, rash. Drowsiness,
• GI: Anorexia, dizziness, confusion,
nausea, vomiting, blurred vision (avoid
abdominal pain or driving or engaging
distress, dry mouth, in activities that
dysphagia, require alertness
dysgeusia, bitter and visual acuity);
taste, sialorrhea, nausea (take with
trismus, burning meals; eat frequent
sensation of the small meals); dry
tongue, diarrhea, mouth (suck
constipation, sugarless lozenges
flatulence, weight or ice chips); painful
change, upper GI or difficult urination
hemorrhage in (empty bladder
patients with history before each dose);
of peptic ulcer. constipation
(maintain adequate
• GU: Urinary
fluid intake and
retention, urinary exercise regularly,
incontinence. request correctives);
• Hematologic: dark sweat or urine
Leukopenia, (not harmful);
anemia, elevated dizziness or
BUN, AST, ALT, faintness when you
LDH, bilirubin, get up (change
alkaline position slowly and
phosphatase, use caution when
protein-bound climbing stairs).
iodine. • Report fainting,
• Respiratory: lightheadedness,
Bizarre breathing dizziness;
patterns. uncontrollable
movements of the
face, eyelids, mouth,
tongue, neck, arms,
hands, or legs;
mental changes;
irregular heartbeat or
palpitations; difficult
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urination; severe or
persistent nausea or
vomiting.