Controlled release levodopa treatment of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease.

A controlled release preparation of levodopa-carbidopa, CR III, given every 4 hours to 17 Parkinsonian patients for up to 10 months reduced plasma drug variations and improved motor response fluctuations compared with standard levodopa-carbidopa given every 2 hours. The results support the value of pharmaceutical approaches to the stabilisation of circulating levodopa levels in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]