Treatment of parkinsonism with N-n-propyl norapomorphine and levodopa (with or without carbidopa)

Abstract

The effects of the concomitant administration of N-n-propyl norapomorphine (NPA) and levodopa, with and without carbidopa, were studied in 12 patients with unsatisfactory symptom control. Double-blind evaluation of the effects of NPA with suboptimal doses of levodopa or levodopa plus carbidopa (Sinemet) showed a mean overall improvement of 44% (20% to 74%) in nine patients and improvement of the "on-off" effect in five. Dyskinesia diminished in some patients after diminution of basal medication. In three patients, plasma dopa and growth hormone patterns did not differ substantially with and without NPA. The magnitude and timing of the therapeutic and side effects did not correlate with the pattern of growth hormone secretion, which suggests that this hormone might not be instrumental in the induction of these effects. N-n-propyl norapomorphine is a useful adjunct in the long-term management of patients with unsatisfactory response to levodopa.