carbidopa

drug

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

Carbidopa is a drug used in combination with levodopa to treat Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is characterized by a deficiency of dopamine, a neurotransmitter crucial for movement. Levodopa is a precursor to dopamine, but it is often broken down in the body before it can reach the brain.123

Carbidopa works by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down levodopa outside of the brain. This allows more levodopa to be available for transport into the brain, where it can be converted into dopamine. By increasing the amount of levodopa that reaches the brain, carbidopa helps to increase the effectiveness of levodopa therapy and reduce the risk of side effects.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

dementia with Lewy bodies
Diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
…that may be used include carbidopa and levodopa (commonly marketed as Sinemet), a dopamine precursor drug combination that addresses symptoms of parkinsonism, and cholinesterase inhibitors, which augment levels of acetylcholine. Other therapeutic approaches include physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Mental health counseling, support groups, and
Read More
…that may be used include carbidopa and levodopa (commonly marketed as Sinemet), a dopamine precursor drug combination that addresses symptoms of parkinsonism, and cholinesterase inhibitors, which augment levels of acetylcholine. Other therapeutic approaches include physical therapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Mental health counseling, support groups, and
Read More