Treatment of Parkinson's disease with L-dopa: a current appraisal.

Interest in l-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease has been considerably enhanced since the recent release of this drug to all medical practitioners. Our experience in the use of l-dopa in 83 patients who have been treated during the past 22 months is presented to provide a practical approach to the administration of l-dopa. Many parkinsonian patients can be treated advantageously on an outpatient basis without the need for initial hospitalization. Some of the common side effects of l-dopa administration can be averted or controlled by a cautious and slow build-up to the optimal dosage level. In the majority (78%) of parkinsonian patients who had been carefully selected for treatment the drug had a beneficial effect on akinesia and rigidity. In the remainder, therapy had to be discontinued because of undesirable side effects or a limited response.