Treatment of parkinsonian conditions with a controlled-release form of levodopa--preliminary study.

Results obtained in 22 patients with Parkinson's disease in whom treatment with standard Madopar was replaced by Madopar HBS, a CR formulation of the same product, are presented. All the patients presented with dyskinesia and akinesia phenomena related in part to the L-dopa treatment and in part to the disease itself. In 20 patients replacement of the standard agent by HBS led to a distinct improvement in the clinical condition and a significant reduction of the 'on-off' phenomenon. However, with the new formulation the dosage had to be increased by 86% on average as compared with standard Madopar. In 6 of the 22 patients treatment with the HBS formulation has continued for over 6 months and is still giving very good results.