What is the relationship between Carbidop and Levodopa?
Carbidopa and Levodopa are medicines used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is a disease in which progressive changes in the brain are underway, including the loss of nerve cells responsible for the production of a substance called dopamine. Levodopa causes an increase in dopamine levels because it is converted into dopamine inside the brain. Carbidopa is usually taken together with the levodopa because it stops the transfer of levodopa, which runs outside the brain. This ensures that the maximum amount of dopamine will be available where it is needed inside the brain, and reduces the side effects caused by the effects of dopamine in other parts of the body.
in Parkinson's disease, part of the brain inside the area known as basal ganglie. Like the loss of those nerve cells that produce dopamine, clusters of protein called Lewy's body develop. Although the effects of brain changes are not fully understood, it is known that the lack of dopamine may be responsible problems with the movement observed in Parkinson's disease. Symptoms of Parkinson usually include tremoror tremor, stiffness or rigidity and slowness of movement. Together, these symptoms cause the individual to have difficulty walking and problems with everyday activities.
other symptoms that are not related to movement may include pain, constipation and depression. Parkinson usually proceeds for several years and there is no treatment, but medicines such as Carbidop and Levodopa can help control the condition. Levodopa is the main treatment of a drug used to reduce the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It is accepted in the form of tablets absorbed in the intestine and takes the bloodstream. While dopamine itself is unable to cross the barrier between the blood and the brain, the levodopa can do it and then converted to dopamine.
Unfortunately, Levodopa is converted into dopamine in other parts of the body, which caused side effects such as vomiting and nausea. To prevent this, Carbidopa is administered simultaneously. Are usually carbidopa andLevodopa combined together in the form of a tablet. Carbidopa acts by preventing the transformation of levodopa into dopamine in parts of the body outside the brain, reducing the risk of adverse effects. Nevertheless, problems such as nausea can be caused when carbidop and levodopa began to be taken for the first time, and drugs usually increase from low initial doses to prevent it.