A controlled release form of Madopar in Parkinsonian patients with advanced disease and marked fluctuations in motor performance

Flucuations in motor performance is a major problem in long-term levodopa treatment of Parkinsonian patients. A slow release preparation of levodopa with benserazide, Madopar HBS, has been developed in an attempt to decrease this problem. Eleven of 22 Parkinsonian patients with advanced disease and marked fluctuations experienced long-lasting benefit with reduction of their fluctuations in motor performance on treatment with Madopar HBS; 11 dropped out within the first 5 months of the trial. This was probably due to lack of experience with the effect of this new slow-release formulation. Nine patients (82%) required an additional dose of standard Madopar, especially in the morning. Significant improvements were found for akinetic phenomenon and dystonic cramps, and with the global evaluation of motor fluctuations. The occurrence of peak dose dyskinesia remained unchanged. No abnormalities in laboratory values were found.