Carbidopa presents a chemical denomination of N-amino-alpha-methyl-3-hydroxy-L-tyrosine monohydrate. It potently inhibits aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (DDC) and due to its chemical properties, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Due to its activity, carbidopa is always administered concomitantly with [levodopa]. An individual formulation containing solely carbidopa was generated to treat nausea in patients where the combination therapy [levodopa]/carbidopa is not efficient reducing nausea.[T394] The first approved product by the FDA containing only carbidopa was developed by Amerigens Pharmaceuticals Ltd and approved on 2014.[L5110] On the other hand, the combination treatment of carbidopa/levodopa was originally developed by Watson Labs but the historical information by the FDA brings back to the approval of this combination therapy developed by Mayne Pharma in 1992.[L5113]
Carbidopa is indicated with [levodopa] for the treatment of symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson disease, postencephalitic parkinsonism and symptomatic parkinsonism followed by carbon monoxide or manganese intoxication.[FDA label] The combination therapy is administered for the reduction of [levodopa]-driven nausea and vomiting.[FDA label] The product of carbidopa should be used in patients where the combination therapy of carbidopa/[levodopa] provide less than the adequate daily dosage.[FDA label] As well carbidopa can be used in patients where the dosages of carbidopa and [levodopa] require individual titration.[FDA label]
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