Carbidopa Health Dictionary

A drug used in the treatment of PARKINSONISM. It is converted to DOPAMINE in the brain, correcting the de?ciency which causes the disorder. Levodopa is often given with carbidopa or benserazide, both dopamine decarboxylase inhibitors, to prevent its conversion to dopamine in the body before it reaches the brain. It may cause nausea, HYPOTENSION or cardiac DYSRHYTHMIA.... levodopa

Drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

The 2 main dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors, co-beneldopa and co-careldopa, are a combination of levodopa and benserazide and levodopa and carbidopa respectively.

These drugs prevent levodopa from being activated except within the brain, which reduces the incidence of side effects such as nausea and vomiting.... dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors

A term that is used to indicate the number of pregnancies a womanhas undergone that have resulted in the birth of a baby capable of survival. parkinsonism Any neurological disorder characterized by a mask-like face, rigidity, and slow movements. The most common type is Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease A neurological disorder that causes muscle tremor, stiffness, and weakness. The characteristic signs are trembling, rigid posture, slow movements, and a shuffling, unbalanced walk. The disease is caused by degeneration of, or damage to, cells in the basal ganglia of the brain, reducing the amount of dopamine (which is needed for control of movement). It occurs mainly in elderly people and is more common in men.

The disease usually begins as a slight tremor of 1 hand, arm, or leg, which is worse when the hand or limb is at rest. Later, both sides of the body are affected, causing a stiff, shuffling, walk; constant trembling of the hands, sometimes accompanied by shaking of the head; a permanent rigid stoop; and an unblinking, fixed expression. The intellect is unaffected until late in the disease.

There is no cure.

Drug treatment is used to minimize symptoms in later stages.

Levodopa, which the body converts into dopamine, is usually the most effective drug.

It may be used in combination with benserazide or carbidopa.

The effects of levodopa gradually wear off.

Drugs that may be used in conjunction with it, or as substitutes for it, include amantadine and bromocriptine.

Surgical operations on the brain are occasionally performed.

Untreated, the disease progresses over 10 to 15 years, leading to severe weakness and incapacity.

About one third of sufferers eventually develop dementia.... parity

n. a dopamine receptor agonist (see dopamine) that is now rarely used alone, or as an adjunct to *levodopa combined with benserazide or carbidopa, to treat Parkinson’s disease. It has other uses and effects similar to those of *bromocriptine.... cabergoline