levodopa + benserazide

Levodopa + benserazide is a fixed-dose combination medication used primarily to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism. Levodopa acts as a prodrug for dopamine, crossing the blood-brain barrier and being converted into dopamine in the brain, thereby supplementing deficient endogenous dopamine levels characteristic of Parkinson's disease. Benserazide is a peripheral aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor that does not cross the blood-brain barrier; it prevents the conversion of levodopa to dopamine outside the central nervous system, reducing peripheral side effects such as nausea and vomiting and allowing more levodopa to reach the brain. This combination improves motor symptoms while minimizing adverse effects associated with peripheral dopamine production[1][5]. The product is marketed under brand names such as Madopar (Roche) and Prolopa.

Brand names

Madopar

Other names

levodopa + benserazidelevodopa and benserazide