Episode 167: Exploring Carbidopa-Levodopa for Treating Parkinson’s Symptoms

Carbidopa-levodopa is considered the “gold standard treatment” for Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa works to replace levels of dopamine in the brain, thereby alleviating PD symptoms, while Carbidopa works to reduce adverse effects in the rest of the body. Although years have passed since the creation of this treatment, it is still commonly known to be an effective drug for reducing PD symptoms in a majority of people living with Parkinson’s.

In this episode, we hear from Dr. Emily Peron, PharmD and Dr. Leslie Cloud, MD from Virginia Commonwealth University*. They discuss how and why carbidopa-levodopa continues to be a standard treatment for PD, long-term use considerations, its different forms, and when to recognize the need for potential medication adjustments.

*Denotes a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence

Released: March 5, 2024

Emily Peron, PharmD, MS, is Associate Professor of Geriatrics at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Pharmacy. Among her faculty commitments, Dr. Peron practices as a clinical pharmacist and conducts research with the VCU Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Center (a Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence). She regularly speaks at movement disorder support groups and teaches students from pharmacy and other health professions programs about movement disorders. Dr. Peron also contributes to medication-related education materials for the Parkinson's Foundation and has served as a member of the Parkinson's Foundation Aware in Care Advisory Committee, which seeks to make hospitals safer for people with PD.

Dr. Peron earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Butler University and completed two years of clinical pharmacy residency training at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, specializing in geriatrics. Dr. Peron then went on to complete a two-year research fellowship and Master of Science degree in Clinical Research at the University of Pittsburgh. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Health-Related Sciences with a Concentration in Gerontology through the VCU College of Health Professions. Her dissertation will explore the experiences of loneliness and ageism among people with Parkinson's.
Dr. Cloud received her MD in 2004 from the Medical College of Georgia. She then completed her neurology residency (2008), clinical movement disorder fellowship (2009), and Master’s Degree in Clinical Research (2011) at Emory University. She joined the VCU faculty in 2011. She is currently the Medical Director of the Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence at VCU.