With all that is going on in the world of research I think that one of the true improvements would be to be able to administer levodopa in a longer term and consistent format to replace the inefficient pills we take now. It just seems be such an obvious treatment modality, I for one can't understand why its not been developed and out there yet. How long do you think it will take?

i've read of a carbidopa patch being tested but i believe not possible to make a C/L patch? not sure if due to large qty of the drug needed to pass thru the skin or difficulty getting amino acid to pass thru the skin?
1. duodopa pump is available outside U.S.
2. israeli company working on another C/L pump but much smaller than duodopa pump, drug is terribly expensive since limited production, likely expensive to produce since have to keep it sterile and the levodopa can't precipitate out of solution.
3. rytary is awaiting FDA approval but will likely cost an arm and a leg.
http://www.impaxlabs.com/our_experie...s_and_pipeline
i think there is 1 other company working on an extended release C/L. british company is inserting into the brain genes to mfg LEVODOPA, is in phase 1(?) clinical trial.
4. there are the adjuncts, mao-b and COMT inhibitors.
5. that's why dopamine agonists were developed, they last a lot longer. i guess just not as effective as C/L as you progress.

http://www.theparkinsonhub.com/artic...s-disease.html

Unfortunately, Rytary may not be on the market for a while. This is a case of a royal screw up by the company, Impax Labs. Rytary, an extended release levodopa, had a conditional approval from the FDA which ended up being pulled this past January due to a failed inspection at their manufacturing facility. When the plant was recently reinspected, it was in worse condition than the first time and the FDA issued a new warning for dozens of violations, many the same as on the first warning. In the interim, GlaxoSmithKline, a partner on the drug, broke their partnership and backed away. Impax is now looking to close their facility and ship the manufacturing to Taiwan. The company, which has hired a team of advisors to help them figure out how to go forward with the drug as they bleed money and their capital drains away, says they still intend to market the drug in 2014.

Wishful thinking. Our best hope is a larger manufacturer buys the drug rights from Impax and takes over.

Debi just posted the other week about progress in the inhaled form of ldopa coming along, this is great news...

Our neuro told us the problem so far with an ldopa patch is that is burns the skin, this was from an Israeli company. I think there are other issues as well with the patch, as ST noted.

But the inhaler, that could be something. Now that I think about, has anyone tried inhaling mucuna powder????

i'd never try inhaling mucana, it would be like inhaling wheat flour, would just plug up your lungs.

the inhaled levodopa is intended to be a rescue drug like apomorphine, for which there is an oral formulation currently being trialed, no injection. i would only use an inhaled drug in an emergency, when i wasn't at home and was "off". the stuff will likely be too expensive to use regularly assuming it gets approved.

http://forum.parkinson.org/index.php...aled-levadopa/

here's the trial.
Phase IIb - A Phase 2b, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study Investigating the Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled CVT 301 (Levodopa Inhalation Powder) in Parkinson's Disease Patients With Motor Response Fluctuations (OFF Phenomena)

Description
This randomized, multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled CVT 301 compared with placebo in PD patients experiencing motor response fluctuations (OFF phenomena) as an outpatient (i.e., at home) and in the clinic.

Currently Enrolling

Who can participate?
Subjects diagnosed with Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) between the ages of 30 and 80 years; Hoehn and Yahr Stage 1-3 diagnosis in an "on" state; Experiences motor fluctuations with a minimum of 2 hours of average daily "off" time per waking day (excluding early morning "off" time) and demonstrate levodopa responsiveness; Is on a stable PD medication regimen.
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http://bmctoday.net/practicalneurolo...InPipeline.pdf

Yes, if my memory serves me right, there was a guy from South America who passed away a few years ago that tried it..Got his name on the tip of my tongue, but can't remember it

Rev would remember him

god help us if anyone tries inhaling mucana based on anything posted on this board.

I don't know very much about mucuna, but I have read that some people smoke the leaves....... Not sure to what benefit.

i guess you "snort" snuff/tobacco but not sure if it gets into the lungs.