Indications & Dose: PARKINSON’S DISEASE Combination therapy PO Adult Patients previously treated with levodopa (2g/day) alone: Initially 300mg with benserazide. Patients previously treated with levodopa in combination with other drugs: 50mg TID/QID with benserazide. For patients not receiving levodopa: 1 capsule (benserazide 25mg + levodopa 100mg ) TID adjusted q2-3 days according to response. Patients on levodopa with benserazide therapy: Substitute 1 capsule for q100mg of levodopa & should be given at the same dosage frequency as before, then dose may be increased q2-3 days according to response | Mono therapy PO Adult Initially 125mg BID, increased gradually to 8g/day in divided doses q3-7days according to response

Precautions: Open-angle glaucoma, CVD, pulmonary disease, endocrine disorders, psychiatric disturbances, osteomalacia, history of peptic ulcers, hepatic/renal disease, avoid abrupt withdrawal

ADR: Serious: Orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, HTN, GI bleeding, transient leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, paranoid delusions, with/without suicidal behaviour, severe depression, auto-immune hemolytic anemia, Others: nausea, vomiting, anorexia, psychiatric symptoms, agitation, anxiety, euphoria, nightmares, insomnia, drowsiness, transient increases in liver enzymes, blood-urea nitrogen & serum-uric acid levels, urine discoloration, hallucinations, delirium, bradykinesia & akinesia

DDI: Serious Baclofen causes adverse effects like hallucinations, confusion, headache, nausea & worsening of parkinsonism symptoms, Antipsychotics causes deterioration of motor function, Methyl dopa increases drug efficacy, Metoclopramide increases rate of drug absorption, β-blockers/Clonidine leads to additive hypotensive effects, Anticholinesterase drugs leads to exacerbation of parkinsonian symptoms, MAOIs leads to life-threatening hypertensive reaction, Penicillamine raises drug levels & leads to raises its adverse effects, Iron compounds/Immunosuppressants reduces drug bioavailability, Antacids reduces drug bioavailability (only for modified-release preparations), Diazepam/Chlordiazepoxide/Nitrazepam/Phenytoin/Pyridoxine/Spiramycin reduces drug efficacy, TCAs/Antiemetics reduces rate & extent of drug absorption

Diet: With food

Monitor: Hepatic, psychiatric, hematological, renal & cardiac functions