Dopamine deficiency (caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells) in certain parts of the brain may be responsible for many of the symptoms of
Parkinson's disease. Although it would make sense to give dopamine to help treat Parkinson's, this does not work, as dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, which means that the body can use levodopa to make dopamine. Unlike dopamine, levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Levodopa is almost always given in combination with
carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain, preventing or diminishing some of the side effects that often accompany levodopa therapy. Carbidopa also reduces the amount of levodopa needed for
Parkinson's disease treatment.
Parcopa is not approved for use in children. Discuss the potential risks and benefits of the drug with your child's healthcare provider.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Parcopa for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. Using Parcopa to treat
restless legs syndrome (
RLS) is an
off-label use of the drug.
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