Madopar combination tablets for Parkinson disease

General information on Japanese Madopar combination tablets for Parkinson disease    

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Taiyo Pharma Co. Ltd., Japan

Active ingredients: levodopa (chemical formula C9H11NO4) 100 mg, benserazide hydrochloride (chemical formula C10H15N3O5・HCl) 25 mg

Medical effect: Madopar combination tablets are effective for the treatment of Parkinson disease and parkinsonian syndrome

Contraindications and precautions: do not use in the following categories of patients:

• patients with glaucoma,
• patients with hepatic or renal disorder,
• patients with diabetes,
• patients with heart or lung disease,
• patients with bronchial asthma,
• patients with endocrine system disease,
• patients with neurological manifestation such as suicide tendency,
• patients with osteomalacia,
• patients with gastric or duodenal ulcer or ulcer in history,
• pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using the medication and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication, please consult with your doctor before use.

As the medicine may cause sleepiness, avoid driving a car or operating dangerous machinery while taking this medication. Impulsive behavior may occur (pathological increase in sexual desire and appetite, repeatedly excessive or unplanned shopping, gambling etc.).

Dosage and administration of Japanese Madopar combination tablets for Parkinson disease 

For patients without history of using levodopa: For adults start with 1-3 tablets on the first day, dividing the dosage into 1-3 times. Gradually increase the dosage by 1-2 tablets every 2-3 days. The maintenance dosage is 3-6 tablets a day. Always take the medicine after meal.

For patients already taking levodopa: For adults, on the first day take about 1/5 of the daily amount of levodopa which the patient has been taking (this medicine contains 100 mg of levodopa in 1 tablet). Take the tablets in 1-3 divided doses a day, after meal. Gradually increase or decrease the amount of this medicine after that to the maintenance dosage of 3-6 tablets a day.

The dosage may be adjusted by the consulting doctor due to age and symptoms.

How effective are Madopar combination tablets from Japan for Parkinson disease?

Madopar combination tablets contain 100 mg of levodopa, an amino acid that works as a precursor to the neurotransmitters, including dopamine. But unlike the dopamine itself, levodopa possesses the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. In 2000 the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to the work showing the antiparkinsonian effect of administering levodopa. But when the patients take just the levodopa itself, the excessive dopamine also goes to extracerebral tissues causing various side effects, from nausea to cardiac arrhythmia. Adding benserazide hydrochloride helps to neutralize the occurrence of extracerebral side effects. That’s why Madopar combination tablets are as generally well-tolerated and safe, as effective.

Who should take Madopar combination tablets from Japan?

Studies showed that Madopar combination tablets are effective for producing a prolonged and stable response in parkinsonian fluctuating patients (C. Pacchetti, E. Martignoni et al. Effectiveness of Madopar HBS Plus Madopar Standard in Patients With Fluctuating Parkinson's Disease: Two Years of Follow-Up // European Neurology, 1990, 30(6): 319-23). Madopar combination tablets reduce the duration and severity of dyskinesia and improve nocturnal and early morning akinesia in patients with Parkinson disease or parkinsonian syndrome.