Problems of levodopa treatment.

This article reviews the side-effects of levodopa therapy in Parkinson's disease. First the pharmacokinetic aspects of levodopa are dealt with. Then the side-effects are successively discussed. Finally the therapeutic possibilities for the side-effects will be covered. An attempt has been made to give both proponents and opponents of a certain therapy their due to make it clear to the reader that for the time being uniform therapeutic recommendations are not always possible. The typical characteristics and circumstances of every individual patient should be considered before any advice can be given.