Open this publication in new window or tab >>Show others...
2017 (English)In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, ISSN 0001-6314, E-ISSN 1600-0404, Vol. 136, no 6, p. 727-731Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Background: Levodopa is the most effective symptomatic treatment throughout thecourse of Parkinson’s disease, but as the disease progresses, there may be a need forindividualized, fine-tunedtreatments.
Aim: To evaluate individualized levodopa/carbidopa dosing using microtablets dispensedwith a dose dispenser, with respect to efficacy and usability as perceived bypatients.
Methods: Patient records and dose dispenser reports from patients previously or currentlytreated with microtablets and a dose dispenser were reviewed, and a patientquestionnaire concerning effect and usability was sent to patients.
Results: Eleven patient records, four dose dispenser reports and nine survey responseswere obtained. The treatment effect was considered to be improved by six of ninepatients. One-thirdfound their bradykinesia to be improved, and the non-troublesomedyskinesia was unchanged according to a majority of patients; however, some experiencedthe duration and magnitude of troublesome dyskinesia to be worse. The usabilitywas generally rated as good. The four dose dispenser reports obtained showed97(±5)% total adherence.
Conclusions: The experienced effect of treatment can, for some patients, be improvedby the use of microtablets, and the dose dispenser was considered user-friendly.Further studies with a larger study population and prospective design are needed toconfirm the results.
Keywords
carbidopa, dose dispenser, levodopa, microtablets, Parkinson’s disease, pharmacotherapy
National Category
Neurology
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-339874 (URN)10.1111/ane.12756 (DOI)000414488000021 ()
2018-01-232018-01-232018-03-21Bibliographically approved