levodopa

views updated May 23 2018

levodopa (L-dopa) (lee-voh-doh-pă) n. a naturally occurring amino acid (see dopa) used in the treatment of parkinsonism. It is administered by mouth in combination with benserazide in co-beneldopa (Madopar) or carbidopa in co-careldopa (Sinemet), which reduces the side-effects of levodopa (e.g. nausea, vomiting, hypotension).