Levodopa and nutrition support: A case report of Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome.

Overview

Levodopa is competitively inhibited by amino acids for absorption across the intestinal wall and blood-brain barrier. An acute withdrawal of levodopa increases the risk of Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome, a life-threatening condition characterized by muscular rigidity, mental status changes, hyperthermia, and autonomic instability. This report discusses the case of a patient with Parkinson's disease who was critically ill who developed Parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome while receiving enteral and parenteral nutrition support. Clinicians should be aware of this potential drug-nutrient interaction when prescribing nutrition support to patients taking levodopa.

Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Journal