Levodopa inhalation powder in a patient with persistent asthma

Levodopa oral dry powder inhalation (DPI, Inbrija) was recently approved by the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for patients whose current carbidopa/levodopa dose is wearing off prematurely [1]. According to the package insert, inhaled levodopa is not recommended for patients with chronic respiratory diseases, such as asthma and/or chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), due to risk of bronchospasm [2]. In a study, 25 otherwise healthy adult patients (without Parkinson's Disease (PD)) with mild or moderate asthma received 84 mg of levodopa inhalation powder for 3 doses, separated every 4 hours [2].

Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 12, 2020 Category: Neurology Authors: Chris Gillette, Jeffrey W. Cooney, Caroline B. Sisson, Nicole Rockich-Winston, Courtney J. Perry, Wendy C. Moore Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research