What can replace the expensive or unavailable Levodopa medication?

In the current challenging economic conditions, there are often problems with acquiring necessary antiparkinsonian medications. If you cannot find the LEVODOPA medication you need in pharmacies, remember the REPLACEMENT rules: ANY levodopa-containing medication can be replaced with ANY other levodopa-containing medication.

For example, levodopa-BENSERAZIDE can be replaced with levodopa-CARBIDOPA from any manufacturer (domestic Levodopa-carbidopa, Nacom, Sindopa, Tidomet Forte, Levokarbisan, etc.).

And levodopa-CARBIDOPA can be replaced with levodopa-benserazide from any manufacturer (domestic Levodopa-benserazide, Madopar, Benziel, Levodopa-benserazide-Teva).

The main thing is to adhere to the doses specifically for LEVODOPA when switching—both the single dose (mg per intake) and the daily dose (mg per day).

Search in pharmacies ON WEBSITES (there is more complete information, and the cost of online orders is usually 10-15% less than retail in pharmacies), on forums, and in patient chats.

The replacement for the now-discontinued in Russia beloved medication Levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone (Stalevo) can now only be found abroad (Turkey). There, this three-component medication is known as Dopalevo. In this case, it is also important to adhere to the dosages of the medications being taken

Stay healthy! Akhmadeeva Gulnara Nailevna, neurologist-Parkinsonologist at V.S. Buzaev International Medical Centre

*There are contraindications. A doctor’s consultation is necessary.