Levodopa delivery systems: advancements in delivery of the gold standard
Published: March 2010
Significant strides have been made to improve the delivery of l-DOPA in order to enhance its bioavailability and reduce plasma fluctuations as well as motor complications experienced by patients purportedly resulting from pulsatile stimulation of the striatal dopamine receptors.
Drug delivery systems that have been instituted for the delivery of l-DOPA include immediate-release formulations, liquid formulations, dispersible tablets, controlled-release formulations, dual-release formulations, microspheres, infusion and transdermal delivery, among others.
This review discusses the l-DOPA-loaded drug delivery systems developed over the past three decades. The ultimate aim of the article is to critically assess the attempts made thus far directed at improving l-DOPA absorption, bio availability and maintenance of constant plasma concentrations, including the drug delivery technologies implicated. Innovative delivery systems should be developed to enable the effective management of PD.
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