L-Dopamine/[email protected]

Levodopa in pill form is absorbed in the blood from the small intestine and travels through the blood to the brain, where it is converted into dopamine.
Once the brain converts levodopa into dopamine, it is stored in the neurons until needed by the body for movement.
Levodopa remains the single most effective agent in the management of Parkinson's symptoms.
Levodopa is almost always given in combination with another medication called Carbidopa. Carbidopa is also a levodopa enhancer. When added, carbidopa enables a much lower dose of levodopa (80% less!) and helps reduce the side effects of nausea and vomiting.

Levodopa -- also called L-dopa -- is the drug most often prescribed. The body metabolizes it to produce dopamine. Giving dopamine directly is ineffective, because the brain's natural defense blocks it from being used by the body. To suppress nausea and other possible side effects, levodopa is used in conjunction with a related drug called carbidopa. The combination is commercially known as Sinemet.

Uses For levodopa:
Levodopa is used alone or in combination with carbidopa to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes referred to as shaking palsy. Some patients require the combination of medicine, while others benefit from levodopa alone. By improving muscle control, levodopa allows more normal movements of the body.