Drug Summary

  Drug name:  levodopa
  Chemical name:  Levodopa
  Formula:  C₉H₁₁NO₄
  Weight:   197.1879
  CAS no:  59-92-7
  DrugBank link:  DB01235
  Description:  The naturally occurring form of dihydroxyphenylalanine and the immediate precursor of dopamine. Unlike dopamine itself, it can be taken orally and crosses the blood-brain barrier. It is rapidly taken up by dopaminergic neurons and converted to dopamine. It is used for the treatment of parkinsonian disorders and is usually given with agents that inhibit its conversion to dopamine outside of the central nervous system. [PubChem]
  Indication:  For the treatment of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Paralysis Agitans), postencephalitic parkinsonism, symptomatic parkinsonism which may follow injury to the nervous system by carbon monoxide intoxication, and manganese intoxication.