Rectal Administration of Carbidopa/Levodopa

Carbidopa/levodopa is a vital medication administered to patients with Parkinson disease. In some clinical situations, oral administration of the medication is not feasible, so alternative routes for medication delivery must be explored to prevent severe complications.

A 90-year-old male with Parkinson disease presented from a nursing home with worsening confusion and agitation. Because of the patient's condition and the inability to obtain enteric access, carbidopa/levodopa was administered rectally, resulting in an observed reduction of the patient's Parkinson symptoms.

When patients with Parkinson disease cannot take their medications orally, rectal administration of carbidopa/levodopa may be a reasonable and effective alternative route of administration.