Let's learn about an 'inhaled' medicine for Parkinson's disease (Levodopa Dry Powder Inhaler)!

Does anyone in your family, perhaps your father or mother, have Parkinson's disease? Then you probably know this from experience. Even if you take your medication several times a day, you may suddenly feel that the effectiveness of the medication has decreased. Suddenly, your body becomes stiff, you can't stand on your feet, and your hands start to shake. We call this an 'off' period. Today, we are going to talk about a special medicine that can provide quick relief at such times. That is the oral levodopa powder.

What is this Levodopa Inhaler?

Simply put, this is a medication given to people with Parkinson's disease. But it's not a medication that's used every day, all the time. It's a rescue medication that's used in 'emergencies' .

Imagine that you are already taking a type of Carbidopa/Levodopa pill prescribed by your doctor for Parkinson's disease. A few hours after taking the pill, when it is almost time for your next dose, your symptoms may suddenly reappear. Your body may become stiff and your tremors may increase. This inhaler is used to quickly control your symptoms during those 'off' times.

Dopamine is one of the most important chemicals in our brain that helps control movement. Parkinson's disease occurs when the levels of this dopamine in the brain decrease. The levodopa powder, inhaled through this inhaler, quickly reaches the brain and is converted into dopamine, helping to make your movements easier again.

Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine

Before deciding if this medicine is right for you, your doctor will need to know a complete history of your health. Therefore, if you have any of the following conditions, be sure to tell your doctor.

• If you have glaucoma .
• If you have a medical condition that makes it difficult to control your muscles .
• If you have a problem with low blood pressure .
• If you have lung diseases (such as asthma).
• If you have mental health problems (such as depression, anxiety).
• Narcolepsy is a condition where you suddenly fall asleep.
• If you have a tendency to engage in uncontrollable impulsive behaviors such as gambling, excessive sexual activity, and uncontrolled shopping.
• To levodopa or any other medicine, food, or dyeIf you have had an allergic reaction before.
• If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant .
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .

How exactly do you use this?

The way this is used is a bit special, so it's very important to understand these steps exactly.

1. Do not swallow the capsules: This is the most important thing. This medicine comes in the form of small capsules. But these should not be swallowed for any reason .

2. A special inhaler: There is a special inhaler that comes with this medicine. All you have to do is put the capsule into the inhaler, take a deep breath and inhale the powder that comes out of it through your mouth.

3. Follow your doctor's instructions: Use this medicine exactly as your doctor tells you to use it, and only for the prescribed amount of time. Do not use it excessively.

What to do if you take too much medicine?

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital immediately. Alternatively, go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital without delay.

Other medications that may interact with this medicine

It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including vitamins and herbal remedies), as some medications can interact with this levodopa inhaler and cause side effects.

This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, if you smoke, or if you drink alcohol.

Things to be careful about when using the medicine

See the doctor regularly.

See your doctor at regular intervals to see if your symptoms improve or decrease. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.

Be very careful when driving or operating machinery!

This is very important. Some people may suddenly fall asleep without any warning or even feeling sleepy when taking this medicine. Imagine what could happen if you were driving, eating, or talking. Therefore, until you are sure how this medicine affects your body, avoid doing things that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery . Also, drinking alcohol while taking this medicine increases this risk.

Dizziness and fainting

You may feel dizzy or faint when you stand up suddenly from a sitting position or when you get out of bed. To prevent this, always get up slowly.

Unusual impulsive behavior

Some people using this medication have reported experiencing unusual cravings that are difficult to control. For example:

• Severe addiction to gambling.
• Excessive desire to engage in sexual activity.
• Uncontrolled eating.
• Spending money unnecessarily on buying goods.

This is nothing to be ashamed of. This could be a side effect of the medication. If you or your family notice this kind of change in your behavior, inform your doctor immediately.

What are the side effects?

Like any medicine, this can cause side effects in some people. Some of them can be serious and require immediate attention.

How to store medicine?

• Keep out of reach of children and pets .
• Store at normal room temperature (between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius).
• Keep the capsules in their foil pack until ready to use.
• Do not place the capsule inside the inhaler before use.
• Keep the inhaler and capsules away from moisture and dry.
• When you have used up all the capsules in the pack, throw away the old inhaler . Then use the new inhaler that comes with the next pack of medicine you buy.
• Get rid of expired medications. You can learn more about this from your doctor.