Levodopa is a biochemical precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Unlike dopamine, It penetrates the blood-brain barrier and is transformed in the brain. It is efficacious for 2-5 yr in relieving the symptoms of parkinsonism.
Levodopa is a biochemical precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Unlike dopamine, It penetrates the blood-brain barrier and is transformed in the brain. It is efficacious for 2-5 yr in relieving the symptoms of parkinsonism.
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Levodopa is a biochemical precursor of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Unlike dopamine, It penetrates the blood-brain barrier and is transformed in the brain. It is efficacious for 2-5 yr in relieving the symptoms of parkinsonism.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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. Student Nurses’ Community
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 Student Nurses’ Community
urination; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting.