Roche

Levodopa and benserazide are used to treat Parkinson's disease. Levodopa helps to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by correcting the chemical imbalance in the brain that produces symptoms. Levodopa can be used alone, but adding benserazide lowers the amount of levodopa that is required, and may reduce some of the side effects such as nausea and vomiting that are associated with levodopa. Although levodopa helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, it does not slow down the progression of the disease.

Levodopa - benserazide should not be used by anyone who:

* is allergic to levodopa, benserazide, or any of the ingredients of the medication
* cannot take sympathomimetic amines (e.g., epinephrine)
* has taken MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within two weeks of taking levodopa - benserazide
* has active heart disease, blood-related conditions, endocrine disease, liver disease, lung disease, or kidney disease
* has a psychiatric disorder
* has narrow-angle glaucoma
* is pregnant or may become pregnant
* is younger than 25 years of age