A double-blind, cross-over trial with madopar HBS in patients with Parkinson's disease

Fourteen patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations were given 125 mg of Madopar HBS or placebo twice a day in addition to their optimal standard Madopar treatment in a double-blind, cross-over study. Clinical response was evaluated by the King's College Hospital Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, the Mobility in Bed Scale and self-scoring diaries. A significant improvement with the drug was found according to the rating scales, whereas evaluation by self-scoring diaries showed no significant changes. In three patients we observed worsening of abnormal involuntary movements. The present trial suggests that a low dose of Madopar HBS can be useful in addition to levodopa therapy in some patients on long-term treatment.