[Treatment of complicated Parkinson disease with a solution of levodopa-carbidopa and ascorbic acid]

We prescribed a solution of levodopa-carbidopa and ascorbic acid (LCAAS) to 21 Parkinsonian patients with motor complications. Eight patients continued the treatment for a mean period of 16.8 months, experiencing substantial increases in the number of hours with good functional capacity. Bothersome symptoms such as dystonia and akathisia in off periods disappeared in all cases in which they had been present and LCAAS was tolerated (in 6 of the 8 patients who continued in the study and in 4 who abandoned treatment late). Intake of other anti-Parkinsonian drugs was reduced. Thirteen patients abandoned the study, citing exacerbation of biphasic dyskinesia as the main reason. We conclude that LCAAS is a useful therapy in some Parkinsonian patients whose motor complications are not managed with conventional drug treatment. Screening of patients is probably of utmost importance to ensure that LCAAS is not administered to patients who already suffer intense biphasic dyskinesia.