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Levodopa is an aromatic amino acid and dopamine precursor used in Parkinson disease treatment. In current U.S. standalone prescription labeling, levodopa is marketed as an inhalation powder for intermittent treatment of off episodes in patients already treated with carbidopa and levodopa. Each inhalation capsule contains 42 mg of levodopa.
read more about levodopa ...Levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted to dopamine in the brain. Replacing dopamine improves motor symptoms associated with Parkinson disease. Carbidopa reduces conversion of levodopa outside the brain and increases the amount reaching the central nervous system.
Current standalone inhaled levodopa is used for intermittent off episodes in patients with Parkinson disease who are already taking carbidopa and levodopa. It does not replace scheduled carbidopa and levodopa treatment. Pediatric safety and efficacy are not established.
One dose consists of the contents of two 42 mg capsules inhaled through the designated inhaler for a total of 84 mg. A dose is used when off symptoms return, up to five times daily. The maximum dose for one off episode is 84 mg and the maximum daily dose is 420 mg. The capsules are not swallowed.
Serious concerns with inhaled levodopa include falling asleep during daily activities, withdrawal-emergent fever and confusion after rapid reduction, hallucinations, psychotic behavior, impulse-control disorders, and dyskinesia. Use is not recommended in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other chronic lung disease. Nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor use within two weeks is contraindicated.
It treats intermittent off episodes in patients with Parkinson disease who already take carbidopa and levodopa.
One dose is 84 mg, given by inhaling the contents of two 42 mg capsules.
It can be used for up to five off episodes per day, with a maximum daily dose of 420 mg.
No. The capsules are used only with the designated inhaler.
DailyMed - INBRIJA (levodopa) capsule. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=077c0f39-a3a2-4b2b-a184-09131889dcfb. Date Accessed October 12, 2026.
INBRIJA (levodopa inhalation powder) Prescribing Information. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2026/209184s013.pdf. Date Accessed October 12, 2026.
Levodopa. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501337/. Date Accessed October 12, 2026.
Levodopa Oral Inhalation. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619018.html. Date Accessed October 12, 2026.
Levodopa. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6047. Date Accessed October 12, 2026.