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L-DOPA/DDCI
L-DOPA is converted to dopamine in the brain to replace deficient neurotransmitter levels, while DDCI (a decarboxylase inhibitor) prevents premature conversion of L-DOPA in the periphery, allowing more to reach the central nervous system.
L-DOPA is converted to dopamine in the brain to replace deficient neurotransmitter levels, while DDCI (a decarboxylase inhibitor) prevents premature conversion of L-DOPA in the periphery, allowing more to reach the central nervous system. Used for Parkinson's disease.
At a glance
| Generic name | L-DOPA/DDCI |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Levodopa |
| Sponsor | Bial - Portela C S.A. |
| Drug class | Dopamine precursor with peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor |
| Target | Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC); dopaminergic system |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Neurology |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
L-DOPA is a precursor to dopamine that crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it is converted to dopamine by aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). DDCI (typically benserazide or carbidopa) inhibits AADC in the periphery but cannot cross the blood-brain barrier itself, thereby reducing systemic side effects and increasing the proportion of L-DOPA that reaches the brain for conversion to dopamine. This combination restores dopaminergic neurotransmission in Parkinson's disease patients.
Approved indications
- Parkinson's disease
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Dyskinesia
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Hallucinations
Key clinical trials
- OpiCapone Effect on Motor Fluctuations and pAiN (PHASE4)
- OpicApone Sleep dISorder (PHASE4)
- Early ParkinSon wIth L-DOPA/DDCI and OpicapoNe (EPSILON Study) (PHASE3)
- eArly levoDopa With Opicapone in Parkinson's paTients wIth motOr fluctuatioNs. (PHASE4)
- A Study to Evaluate the add-on Efficacy and Safety of Opicapone 50 mg or an Extra Dose of L-DOPA 100 mg for the Treatment of Wearing-off in Patients With PD (PHASE4)
- Efficacy and Safety of Opicapone in Clinical Practice (PHASE4)
- Efficacy and Safety of BIA 9-1067 in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Patients. (PHASE3)
- Efficacy and Safety of BIA 9-1067 in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease Patients With "Wearing-off" Phenomenon (PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- L-DOPA/DDCI CI brief — competitive landscape report
- L-DOPA/DDCI updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Bial - Portela C S.A. portfolio CI