Dr. Karunapuzha on How to Take Levodopa for Parkinson's and Why

[@michaelnametz7176]

This is clear, practical advice. Thank you, Dr K

[@richardgonick931]

Great video. The Dr. spoke to us not at us in basic terminology.👍

[@ML-zm6kk]

Thank you so much. This video has been more informing than the neurologist I have been seeing for a year. -_-

[@davisphinneyfdn]

We're so glad it has been helpful!

[@chriswood3146]

Is it ok to take gingko biloba when on high doses of Madopar?

[@geoffreyiles1519]

Interesting how constipation interferes with your meds. I was very constipated and did not appreciate that I had PD. Thank you for the clarity. As per Elliot Overton I have been working hard at trying to find the”sweet spot” for taking the vitamin B1 and it’s not easy. I have just moved up to 200mgs of B1 nitrate sublingually plus 50 mgs of TTFD B1 and are suffering a relapse as promised. However I can now sign my name and have sufficient stamina to do the dishes without having to sit down every 5 minutes to rest my back extensors and guess what my severe constipation is suddenly gone as promised due to TTFD B1 according to Elliot! I only hope I that I see improvements in other areas as well.

[@peterwillis8364]

​@@geoffreyiles1519😅p

[@peterwillis8364]

😅

[@michelelindseth8250]

Thank you. This told me more than my neurologist.

[@donaldlivingstone3413]

This has been extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@toryberch]

Thank you Dr, for a clear easy understanding explanation 👍👏

[@davidwend9229]

Very clear explanation of Levodopa consumption and its assimilation. I will work harder at making sure I stay regular. Will return to a regiment of Metamucil and proper hydration. Thanks

[@myvoicespeechtherapy]

Such a great message - the WHOLE video!

[@lisacox9062]

Thank you so much! I take on a empty stomach and wait to eat. I just started taking 4 weeks yesterday. ✨🙌🏽 flaxseed helps with back up.

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Keep it up! Thanks for your comment.

[@patriciabaldwin4680]

Thank you so much for this video!

[@kccheang_SGP]

Very helpful and informative! Thanks

[@chuckswaim]

Great help in explaining things. 😊👍✨

[@luanndavis-jindela3223]

Best explanation I have heard!

[@cherylmailloux9647]

I understood everything he said and it makes total sense ❤😊

[@cindypacker3161]

Clearest explanation, thank you

[@sidheswarankumaraswami3736]

Good.Gives me hope to continue my lifestyle comfortably.

[@DianneGething]

Thank you I understand so much better now.

[@edithto2142]

thank u for the elaboration on this important subject!

[@kathaysong5377]

Wow. FINALLY someone who gives a clear answer to my questions!! Thanks!!!

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@MDMB53]

Informative and helpful. But very hard to practice when you have both IBD and Parkinson's.

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Having multiple health issues is a real challenge for most people with Parkinson's. When digestive issues interfere with oral medications, it may be worth considering other interventions like Duopa, Deep Brain Stimulation, or Focused Ultrasound. Also, there are two continuous infusion levodopa systems that may be approved in the US in the coming months.

[@nylene25]

Thank you!! Very helpful explanation

[@rolfehlers2101]

Your approach to the problem of choosing the right timte for eating and taking Levodopa is absolutely convincing. You stop the necessary information halfways on the right way, although and in the end come up with wrong conclusions. To do it right you must keep en eye on the timae and mass of proteins. Not only the proteins are to be watched, too much fat keeps the stomach closed for the inlet into the minor intestine. A fat cheeseburger or a luscious steak keep the entrance into the intestines shut and levadopa cannot be digested and transported to th brain. A perfect time to sstart the day with 1 portion of levadopa is the morning after a regular sleeping period. This is the time for your proposed:After taking good glass of water, because then the stomach will be empty for sure. After the consumption of levidopa onto the empty stomach it is also indispesable to watch not t mingle the pill with proteinrich food - just as you describe vory well in this video. I am strikken by Parkinson since appr. 20 years, 82 yrs of age. Most of my life I was practicing lawyer and developer of ways to better the Serotonin level . I followed the reprts of some thousans users of food products that I developed in this interest (onto the empty stomach, naturally). Also I wroe two books on Serotonin and weight control (in German). I am looking forard for your answer. Best regards. Rolf Ehlers, 41143 Jüchen, Germany..

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Thanks for your message. There are indeed many factors that affect medication absorption and timing of doses. Dr. K.'s advice is to take your levodopa on an empty stomach and to take it with a full glass of water to have the best chance for maximal absorption. Of course, this may not always be feasible or sufficient. Constipation, gastroparesis, and metabolic issues can affect levodopa absorption, and due to nausea it is some people have a better experience if they take levodopa with a small amount of food. Ultimately, each person should follow the recommendation(s) regarding medication timing provided by the person who prescribed the medication.

[@tranquil4353]

Very precise and informative.you cleared many of my doubts for my mom's condition.

[@multivenkataramanan]

Thank you doctor for the clear understanding of the medication

[@ellagrobler6982]

Many thanks for sharing this info.

[@davisphinneyfdn]

You're welcome!

[@JeffAnm8r]

Gastroparesis/slow gastric emptying is another PD issue that messes with getting the pills to the small intestine.

[@TheReggie1970]

Great informacion thanks alot

[@mattkeenetile]

My current, (soon not to be) neurologist told me when I asked about taking my carb/lev with food that, “ It makes little difference whether you take it with food or not” Thanks

[@helensmith8325]

I have read everything all over the map. will proceed with this recommendation from now on.

[@yiazmat213]

Would it be even more efficient to add zinc methinone, p-5-p, magnesium taurate and ester-C to the levodopa? (Question referring to both people with and without the disease) And if yes what would be the ideal dosages? And at what time is optimal compared to your meals and the l-dopa?

[@davisphinneyfdn]

There is not, to our knowledge, research backing concurrent use for all people with Parkinson's of the supplements you mention. That said, there may be reason to take these supplements, and each person with Parkinson's should consult members of their individual care team for advice about supplementation. Each person's individual needs will vary.

[@gauravworld2968]

That was very nice of you to explain it in detail.

[@mrsgrandmom1503]

Hi Dr thanks.can a PD patient survive wit out taking treatment wit levodopa?

[@mdsaharulislam822]

Dear Sir, I have been suffering from parkinson deases from a long time.when I write ,my fingers are troubling.I have take many medicines but do not cure at all.Do I cure it any way ?please help me .

[@Barefoot53]

its been 7years with pd. from the 1st appt I told the dr i was very constipated , he never once acknowledged my bowels. Im so fustrated with the information and no support for pd within 200km

[@davisphinneyfdn]

We're sorry to hear that you're having trouble finding support nearby. We're here for you. Here is a recent conversation about nutrition wherein a registered dietician, Kristin Gustashaw, discusses constipation and related issues (use the timestamps in the description to find the moment): kzbin.info/www/bejne/kGmTeHiHrNKVkKs

[@jagdishbhai7680]

Thanks best

[@christileneabrahams6416]

Don't know if this was mentioned but hormones provided by female parts like the uterus protect a little against artritis.

[@timball3026]

He’s great

[@davisphinneyfdn]

We agree: Dr. K. is great!

[@mahuateng1496]

Inbrija is great for off periods

[@jenixav]

Seriously clear explanation on taking the med and daily clearing of stomach to see the result. Tq Dr.

[@zampuii3805]

How long (hour)can work levodopa?

[@ahc1957]

What if you take Leva-dopa like an enema or a suppository? I would seriously like an answer to this question. What if it is taken without protein. PS It seems that I am starting Parkinson’s. In the testing process to confirm or deny but it doesn’t look promising.

[@thelmacandid8530]

My cold sores and herpes virus was permanently cure by doctor Ehimare on KZbin. God bless you your Dr Ehimare and stay safe everyone.

[@annepaulinedl9038]

Hello, Would like to ask if Madopar can be taken 15minutes before and 15minutes after the prescribed time? Thanks.

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Unless your medication management of Parkinson's symptoms is very complicated, 15 minute variations from a schedule are unlikely to be particularly problematic. In fact, skipping a dose entirely could have more significant effects than taking a dose early or late. That said, this is a question you should discuss with the prescribing physician. There may be reasons the prescribing physician would recommend keeping a more rigid schedule in your situation. For one thing, keeping a schedule often helps people avoid missing doses by accident. Still we have heard from many people with Parkinson's whose physician advises flexibility with medication timing to avoid complicating meal schedules or other parts life, especially in the early stages of Parkinson's.

[@monicaleguma6979]

Please keep the Mic close to your mouth cannot hear on taking levodopa

[@debkennedy8013]

Does this medication help with head tremors?

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Tremor can be difficult to treat, but levodopa can help with some head, face, and neck tremors. Here is an article that discusses this subject with a focus on facial tremors. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27470304/#:~:text=Facial%20tremors%20response%20to%20acute%20levodopa%20challenge%20showed%2092%20%25%20sensitivity,an%20early%20sign%20of%20PD.

[@RAINYDAYS00505]

THANK YOU! Levodopa makes me violently vomit, to exhaustion. We uped the carbidopa which helped but not always. I thought taking it with food would be better. I will try water and pill.

[@thaha.m.kkorisseri1436]

Which Syndopa is strong dose. Syndopa cr 125mg or Syndopa plus 125 mg

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Syndopa appears to be a formulation name for carbidopa/levodopa in some parts of the world. In the US, where the Davis Phinney Foundation is located, we are more familiar with the brand Sinemet (and its generic formulations). That said, it appears that Syndopa CR is a controlled release formulation, while syndopa plus is an immediate release formulation. If this is accurate, then neither is "stronger" than the other: they both contain the same amount of medications. However, it also appears that the medications are both available in different strengths. You might find this blog post informative: davisphinneyfoundation.org/levodopa-formulations/. In particular, the descriptions of Immediate-Release Sinemet and Controlled-Release Sinemet may be the most relevant to your question. Note that controlled-release formulations are intended to extend how long each dose lasts, but because of this, people taking controlled-release formulations are sometimes advised by their doctor to take both immediate-release and controlled-release formulations. We recommend you consult with a physician or pharmacist who is more familiar with the syndopa brand and formulations for more information.

[@rajendraagrawlji7521]

In Parkinson. Urin. Problem Remidi. Of. This problem

[@masudulhaque7083]

My father has been suffering in Parkinson disease from last 8 month, Now he can't eating and speaking, What will be the best treatment for him

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Thanks for your message. A speech language pathologist is often the best provider to help with difficulties eating and speaking. You can search a database of US-based providers at this website: find.asha.org/pro/#sort=relevancy&f:@provider=[Speech-Language%20Pathologist] However, being unable to eat may require more immediate attention. We recommend talking with your father's care team as soon as possible to determine the best course of action.

[@rosemaryclarke6250]

I thought levadopa went straight to the brain and not the gut, through the bloodstream. Also, no matter how much fibre or laxative I take I never have consistent bowel movements and never had in my entire life , from birth onwards.

[@davisphinneyfdn]

Thanks for your comment. Oral carbidopa-levodopa is mostly absorbed in the small intestine, and thereafter it crosses the blood brain barrier. Here is an article about gastrointestinal issues related to absorption of levodopa: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ene.15734

[@carolharr5203]

Not enough volume.

[@gregorybalchunas3895]

Power of prayer

[@hurain-sv8wy]

If someone have symptoms of tremor in one hand, slurring of speech, constiparion, masked face What will be the diagnosis?? Is it parkinson disease? What will treatment ??? Is carbidopa / levodopa before or after meal????

[@davisphinneyfdn]

The common recommendation for timing Carbidopa/Levodopa is to take it before eating, but follow the advice of the prescribing provider. Some people experience nausea if the take C/L on an empty stomach. As for your questions about diagnosis and treatment more generally, these questions are best asked of a healthcare provider.

[@sylviakan8934]

One hour before meals 2 absorb first

[@marklafever5679]

O