Twenty-two @entity1 with @entity191 were treated for the periods of up to six months with L-dopa. In nine of the male @entity1 metabolic observations were made after oral administration of @entity3209 -L-dopa.Peak serum levels of total radioactivity represented small fractions of the dose given and occurred at one to two hours after ingestion. Two-thirds of the dose was excreted as metabolites in urine in eight hours. Insignificant fractions of the dose were excreted in stool and expired air. These results indicate rapid and complete absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, as well as rapid distribution and excretion. Clinical observations confirmed that L-dopa is an effective treatment for @entity191 . Improvements in disability averaged 47% at 30 days, 55% at 50 days, and 60% at three months. Degree of improvement tended to be inversely related to age of @entity1 , duration of illness, and severity of disease. Side-effects were seen in most @entity1 , but were always reversible with dose reduction. Nausea was the chief dose-limiting side-effects in early therapy and @entity8684 after two months of treatment. The average tolerated daily dose was 3 g. On the basis of this experience it seems that the drug can be used safely and effectively on an outpatient basis provided that dosage increments are introduced gradually, maximum dosage is limited to 4 g. a day, and supervision is both close and continuous.

Metabolic studies and clinical observations during L-dopa treatment of XXXX .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity3209 :: ('CHEBI:36927', 'Chemical') :: ['(14)C'] @entity8684 :: ('MESH:D001264', 'Disease') :: ['choreoathetosis'] @entity191 :: ('MESH:D010300', 'Disease') :: ["Parkinson's disease"]
@entity191 :: (MESH:D010300,Disease) :: ['Parkinson's disease']
