L-DOPA, (S)-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, a precursor of a neurotransmitter
L-DOPA (levodopa), used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease
L-DOPA |
An aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor (synonyms: DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor, DDCI and AAADI) is a drug which inhibits the synthesis of dopamine by the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD, or DOPA decarboxylase, DDC).
It is used in the management of Parkinson's disease in combination with L-DOPA (levodopa) as co-beneldopa (BAN), under the brand names Madopar in the UK and Prolopa in Canada, both made by Roche.
The use of carbidopa seems counter-intuitive in Parkinson's disease (PD) in that it prevents DDC conversion of levodopa/L-DOPA to dopamine.