This increases dopamine by increasing the production. This happens because L-dopa is the immediate precursor of dopamine and higher amounts in the system will lead to more dopamine production.
This has large systemic side effects, as a relatively small part of it reaches the brain. This is reduces by coprescribing with carbidopa which is a L-DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor which does not pass the blood brain barrier. This will in turn lead to less conversion in the body but not the brain.
The problem with L-DOPA is that
Side effects
- acute effects may include naesea and vomiting (maybe adjust dose if you see this)
- Dyskinesia
- Psychiatric disturbances
- Vivid dreams
- hallucinations
- psychotic states
- confusion
- impulse control disorders