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Are Levodopa “Drug Holidays” Justified?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Oscar S. Kofman
Oscar S. Kofman*
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Toronto, and Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto
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Abstract

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Complete withdrawal of all levodopa compounds “drug holiday” for a period of at least one week in severely disabled, unresponsive Parkinson patients may influence receptor blockade by resensitizing and can alter denervation hypersensitivity.

Twenty four patients with 31 holidays were evaluated. Transient improvement was noted in most patients, however significant long term benefit of over 1 years duration occurred in only 6 individuals.

In view of the unpredictability and limited responsiveness, drug holiday has not yet been established as a satisfactory treatment for the severe, intractable problems associated with chronic levodopa administration in Parkinson patients. Further trials appear to be warranted.

Type
7. Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 11 , Issue S1: Current Concepts and Controversies in Parkinson’s Disease , February 1984 , pp. 206 - 209
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1984

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