Benserazide/Levodopa

**Semantic type:** Pharmacologic Substance

**Definition:** An orally available combination of benserazide, an aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibitor, and levodopa, an inert, metabolic precursor to dopamine, with dopaminergic and antiparkinsonian properties. Upon oral administration, levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and is decarboxylated to dopamine via dopa decarboxylase in the brain, promoting increased activation of dopamine receptors. Benserazide inhibits dopa decarboxylase in the periphery, thereby preventing the decarboxylation of levodopa in extracerebral tissues, which increases the delivery of dopamine to the central nervous system (CNS) and reduces the side effects of peripheral dopamine.

**Synonyms:** - Benserazide-Levodopa - Levodopa-Benserazide - Levodopa/Benserazide - Madopar - Prolopa