Long term complications. In Parkinson's Disease Patients usually experience good control of parkinsonian features when symptomatic therapy is first introduced. This is maintained for approximately three to five years into levodopa therapy .
Patients initially experience a stable response through the day.
Despite levodopa therapy, disability continues to progress. Over the years there is a tendency to administer increasing amounts of dopaminergic medication in order to minimize the progression of functional disability. Between approximately four and eight years, many patients experience motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. Patients may initially notice a short duration levodopa response of four to five hours. Over the next few years, the short duration response becomes more fleeting and benefit lasts only two to three hours.