levodopa /lē′vōdō″pə/ , an antiparkinsonian agent. ▪ INDICATIONS: It is prescribed in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, juvenile forms of Huntington’s disease when rigidity is the main feature, and chronic manganese poisoning (which can lead to Parkinson-like symptoms in welders). ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Narrow-angle glaucoma, concomitant use of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, suspected melanoma, or known hypersensitivity to this drug prohibits its use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the more serious adverse effects are severe GI disturbances, hypotension, various movement disorders, emotional changes, cardiac arrhythmia, and anorexia.
