Madopar HBS: slow-release levodopa and benserazide in parkinsonian patients presenting marked fluctuations in symptoms on standard L-dopa treatment.

In this open study patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, who experienced pronounced fluctuations in symptoms while on standard L-dopa, were switched from Madopar/Sinemet to Madopar HBS. The dosage was adjusted until optimal response was obtained. The effect was unsatisfactory in 4 cases and side effects intervened in another 2. The remaining 16 patients exhibited substantial and frequently significant improvements with regard to both akinetic and dyskinetic phenomena. L-Dopa dosage was increased in all cases, and addition of standard L-dopa was required in one third of the cases. These benefits continued in the majority of patients.