Treatment of Parkinsonism with Laevo-dopa

Thirty-two patients with Parkinsonism were treated with L-dopa. Nine were markedly and 14 moderately improved. Twenty patients tolerated the drug well, derived definite improvement, and were treated for an average period of six months. Improvement was sustained during this period even though the average daily dosage of L-dopa was reduced. Dose-dependent side-effects occurred in 25 patients. It is suggested that dosage schedules should be flexible and tailored to the needs of each individual patient, and that treatment should be continued for six months before presuming it to be ineffective.It is concluded that L-dopa often ameliorates Parkinsonism for long periods, but its effect on the natural history of the disease is undertermined.