Levodopa is known to cause one side effect in particular…

L-dopa, or levodopa, is a wonderful medication for treating Parkinson’s Disease. It provides additional dopamine to the dopamine deficient basal ganglia, allowing for a temporary improvement in the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.

However, levodopa has some potentially unpleasant side effects as well, such as severe nausea and hypotension. These side effects are mainly due to the peripheral metabolism of levodopa.

The addition of carbidopa, in the form of Sinemet (from latin sin = without, and emet = vomiting or emesis), blocks the peripheral metabolism of levodopa, reducing the unpleasant side effects of nausea and hypotension.

A great way to learn more about the effects of levodopa in Parkinson Disease is to read the fabulous book, Awakenings, by Dr Oliver Sacks.