Prolopa

Prolopa is a brand-name fixed-dose combination medication that contains levodopa and benserazide. It is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and related movement disorders, particularly in patients who respond to dopamine replacement therapy. The combination leverages the two drugs together to improve motor control and reduce peripheral side effects.

Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine that forms part of the brain’s normal signaling. Benserazide is a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor that prevents levodopa from being converted to dopamine outside the brain. By limiting peripheral conversion, benserazide increases the amount of levodopa that reaches the brain and decreases nausea and other peripheral reactions.

Prolopa is typically supplied as tablets containing about 100 mg of levodopa and 25 mg of benserazide per tablet, though strengths can vary by country. Dosing is individualized and adjusted by a clinician, often taken several times daily. Absorption is best on an empty stomach or with a light, low-protein snack, because high-protein meals can interfere with levodopa uptake in the gut.

Common adverse effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and orthostatic hypotension. As with other levodopa therapies, longer-term use can lead to dyskinesias and fluctuations in symptom control. Other possible effects include sleep disturbances, confusion, and impulse-control issues. Urine and sweat may darken.

Contraindications and cautions include known hypersensitivity to the components, concurrent nonselective MAO inhibitors, active or suspicious malignant melanoma, and certain eye or cardiovascular conditions such as narrow-angle glaucoma or severe heart disease. Interactions with vitamins (pyridoxine) and other medicines can affect efficacy or safety. Availability and labeling vary by country.