Levodopa — uses, dosing, side effects & the brands that sell it · pharmaranks
Levodopa: uses, dosing, side effects & brands
Levodopa is an aromatic amino acid sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for parkinson disease. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.
By the pharmaranks editorial team·Reviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sources·How we research
Key facts
Drug class
Aromatic Amino Acid
Treats
Parkinson Disease
Available as
Capsule
Sold as
2 products — Bendopa and Inbrija
Prescription?
Prescription only
Generic available?
Not in our catalog
How levodopa is dosed
From the FDA label for Inbrija (application NDA209184). Other levodopa products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.
INBRIJA capsules are for oral inhalation only and should be used only with the INBRIJA inhaler. For oral inhalation only. DO NOT swallow INBRIJA capsules. Only use INBRIJA capsules with the INBRIJA inhaler ( 2.1 ) Inhale the contents of two INBRIJA capsules (84 mg) as needed for OFF symptoms, up to 5 times daily ( 2.2 ) The maximum dose per OFF period is 84 mg, and the maximum recommended daily dosage of INBRIJA is 420 mg ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Administration Instructions INBRIJA capsules are for oral inhalation only and should be used only with the INBRIJA inhaler. INBRIJA capsules must not be swallowed as the intended effect will not be obtained. INBRIJA capsules should be stored in their blister package and only removed immediately before use [see How Supplied/Storage and Handling (16.2) ] . 2.2 Recommended Dosage INBRIJA should be taken when symptoms of an OFF period start to return. The recommended dosage of INBRIJA is oral inhalation of the contents of two 42 mg capsules (84 mg) as needed, up to 5 times a day. The maximum dose per OFF period is 84 mg, and the maximum daily dosage is 420 mg. INBRIJA has been shown to be effective only in combination with carbidopa/levodopa [see Indications and Usage (1) ].
Levodopa side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in the labeling: Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Hallucinations/Psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Bronchospasm in Patients with Lung Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 5% and higher than placebo) were cough, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and sputum discolored ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Acorda Therapeutics, Inc. at 1-800-367-5109 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. Adverse Reactions in Study 1 Table 1 lists the adverse reactions that occurred in at least 2% of patients with Parkinson's disease who were treated with INBRIJA 84 mg and higher than placebo for OFF…
Every levodopa product we track (2)
Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.
INBRIJA consists of a dry powder formulation of levodopa for oral inhalation with the INBRIJA inhaler. The inhalation powder is packaged in white hypromellose capsules. Each capsule contains a spray-dried powder of 42 mg levodopa active ingredient with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and sodium chloride. The active component of INBRIJA is levodopa, an aromatic amino acid. Its chemical name is (2S)-2-amino-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid and its structural formula is: Levodopa has a molecular weight of 197.19 g/mol and molecular formula C 9 H 11 NO 4 . Levodopa is a white to slightly off-white powder and is readily soluble in formic acid, slightly soluble in water, and practically insoluble in ethanol and diethyl ether; it dissolves in dilute hydrochloric acid. The INBRIJA inhaler is a plastic device with a blue body, blue cap, and white mouthpiece used for inhaling INBRIJA powder. The INBRIJA inhaler is breath-actuated by the patient. Under standardized in vitro testing conditions, the INBRIJA inhaler delivered 36.1 mg of levodopa (emitted dose) for the 42 mg capsule from the mouthpiece. No significant difference in emitted dose was observed when varying the flow rate and volume from 20 liters per minute/1L up to 90 liters per minute/2L. Peak inspiratory flow rates (PIFR) achievable through the INBRIJA inhaler were evaluated in 24 adult…
What kind of drug is levodopa?
The FDA classifies levodopa as an aromatic amino acid. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take levodopa with other medicines?
It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run levodopa against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is levodopa sold under?
We track 2 levodopa-containing products in the U.S.: Bendopa and Inbrija. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.
Who shouldn’t take levodopa
INBRIJA is contraindicated in patients currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (e.g., phenelzine and tranylcypromine) or who have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. Hypertension can occur if these drugs are used concurrently [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ]. INBRIJA is contraindicated in patients currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or who have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor ( 4 , 7.1 )
Levodopa drug interactions
Monitor patients on MAO-B inhibitors for orthostatic hypotension ( 7.1 ) Dopamine D2 antagonists, isoniazid, and iron salts: May reduce the effectiveness of INBRIJA ( 7.2 , 7.3 ) 7.1 Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors The use of nonselective MAO inhibitors with INBRIJA is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Discontinue use of any nonselective MAO inhibitors at least two weeks prior to initiating INBRIJA. The use of selective MAO-B inhibitors with INBRIJA may be associated with orthostatic hypotension. Monitor patients who are taking these drugs concurrently. 7.2 Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists and Isoniazid Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide) and isoniazid may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa. Monitor patients for worsening Parkinson's symptoms. 7.3 Iron Salts Iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts can form chelates with levodopa and consequently reduce the bioavailability of levodopa.
31.25 mg / 125 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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S150
37.5 mg / 150 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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S200
50 mg / 200 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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LCE;200
50 mg / 200 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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LCE;150
37.5 mg / 150 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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M;73
25 mg / 100 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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M;72
18.75 mg / 75 mg / 200 mg
brown
oval
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What forms does levodopa come in?
Across the brands we track, levodopa is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic levodopa?
We do not currently list a generic-labelled levodopa product. That does not always mean none exists — it means none appears under a generic name in the FDA data we track. Ask your pharmacist.
Has levodopa been recalled?
The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions levodopa. The most recent: Carbidopa, Levodopa, Entacapone Tablets, 25 mg/100 mg/200 mg, 100-count bottle,… (Oct 7, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.