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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Lightheadedness During Treatment For Parkinson S Disease?

My wife is currently in a rehabilitation facility. When I visit her she often complains about feeling light headed; she mostly lies in bed. She is given 250/50 mg carbidopa-levodopa six times daily for parkinson s disease which was prescribed by her neurologist. This appears to be an appropriate dosage for her. What medications could be the cause of her feeling light headed?
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Welcome to HCM!
I appreciate your concern for your wife's health related problem.

Apparently the side effects are due to the Levodopa component.

Since most of the Levodopa gets inactivated in the intestines and liver before actually reaching the brain hence it is combined with Carbidopa which prevents its peripheral inactivation in intestine and liver. Hence this combination is found to be more efficient as compared to Levodopa alone.

Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting & dizziness (lightheadedness)
Other side effects include: Abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesias)
In older patients higher doses may cause hallucinations and confusion.

Kindly take an opinion of neurologist for possible dosage adjustment to prevent the lightheadedness.

Best regards!
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What Causes Lightheadedness During Treatment For Parkinson S Disease?

Welcome to HCM! I appreciate your concern for your wife s health related problem. Apparently the side effects are due to the Levodopa component. Since most of the Levodopa gets inactivated in the intestines and liver before actually reaching the brain hence it is combined with Carbidopa which prevents its peripheral inactivation in intestine and liver. Hence this combination is found to be more efficient as compared to Levodopa alone. Common side effects: Nausea, vomiting & dizziness (lightheadedness) Other side effects include: Abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesias) In older patients higher doses may cause hallucinations and confusion. Kindly take an opinion of neurologist for possible dosage adjustment to prevent the lightheadedness. Best regards!