Open multicenter trial with Madopar HBS in parkinsonian patients. Preliminary assessment after short-term treatment.

In 23 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease presenting with severe fluctuations in motor performance and 'on-off' phenomena after long-term treatment with levodopa, the standard form of Madopar was replaced by the controlled-release form Madopar HBS. The Meerwaldt's patient card has been used to evaluate the frequency and intensity of response swings. Only 2 patients, who suffered from clear-cut 'end-of-dose' deterioration, significantly benefited by this switch from standard Madopar to Madopar HBS. Eight patients had a minimal or not essential improvement of the parkinsonian symptomatology and/or of the response fluctuations. Thirteen patients returned to their previous standard Madopar treatment after deterioration of parkinsonian symptoms or increase of dyskinesia under the HBS treatment. The overall increase in dosage of levodopa with Madopar HBS was 54% in comparison with the initial standard Madopar dosage.