Parkinson's disease in the elderly: a long-term efficacy study of levodopa/benserazide combination therapy.

An open study was carried out in 60 elderly patients with Parkinson's disease to assess the efficacy and tolerance of long-term treatment with levodopa/benserazide combination therapy. Patients were treated for periods up to 2 years, doses being titrated to the lowest required to bring about adequate relief of symptoms. The mean daily dose ranged from 165 mg on entry to 199 mg in the 43 patients assessed at 24 months. The results showed that treatment provided lasting therapeutic benefits for approximately three-quarters of the study population with a low incidence of side-effects.