Effects
Decarboxylase inhibitors inhibit decarboxylase, which metabolizes levodopa to dopamine. They are used exclusively in combination with levodopa to treat Parkinson’s disease. Their effect is limited to the periphery because they hardly cross the blood–brain barrier. Decarboxylase inhibitors thus allow more or less selective degradation of levodopa to dopamine in the central nervous system and prevent adverse effects of dopamine in the periphery (nausea, vomiting, cardiovascular disturbances).
Indications
For the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in combination with levodopa. The combination is not indicated for the treatment of drug-induced Parkinson’s disease.
