Levodopa gets green and yellow light for clinical use
FDA approves drug for prescription—but orders licensed manufacturers to keep studying side-effects of levodopa in antiparkinsonism therapy
Physicians have been advised to "go slowly" in building up the dosage of levodopa, now that they can prescribe it for patients with Parkinson's disease.
Making the recommendation was George C. Cotzias, MD, who pioneered the use of high doses of levodopa in treating parkinsonism. Practically all patients have some side-effects from the drug, he said, but these can be lessened if the drug is introduced gradually.
The drug was approved by the FDA in early June for general prescription use and the agency sent a report to all physicians, recommending daily dosages carefully adjusted for the individual patient.
The usual daily dosage of levodopa is from 4 to 6 gm, administered orally in three or more doses with food. Daily dosage
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