First clinical experience with levodopa/carbidopa microtablets in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND

Levodopa is the most effective symptomatic treatment throughout the course of Parkinson's disease, but as the disease progresses, there may be a need for individualized, fine-tuned treatments.

AIM

To evaluate individualized levodopa/carbidopa dosing using microtablets dispensed with a dose dispenser, with respect to efficacy and usability as perceived by patients.

METHODS

Patient records and dose dispenser reports from patients previously or currently treated with microtablets and a dose dispenser were reviewed, and a patient questionnaire concerning effect and usability was sent to patients.

RESULTS

Eleven patient records, four dose dispenser reports and nine survey responses were obtained. The treatment effect was considered to be improved by six of nine patients. One-third found their bradykinesia to be improved, and the non-troublesome dyskinesia was unchanged according to a majority of patients; however, some experienced the duration and magnitude of troublesome dyskinesia to be worse. The usability was generally rated as good. The four dose dispenser reports obtained showed 97(±5)% total adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

The experienced effect of treatment can, for some patients, be improved by the use of microtablets, and the dose dispenser was considered user-friendly. Further studies with a larger study population and prospective design are needed to confirm the results.