Levodopa

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: L-DOPA, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine

Pharmacological Mechanism

Dopamine prodrug — crosses the BBB via LAT1 (dopamine does not). Decarboxylated by AADC to dopamine both centrally and peripherally. Carbidopa (peripheral AADC inhibitor) is co-administered to prevent peripheral dopamine formation (nausea, hypotension) and preserve more L-DOPA for CNS conversion.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 1.5h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 400mg (Range: 100 - 1000 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Interactions

• Tyrosine
• Dopamine
• Vitamin B6