L-Dopa, also known as Levodopa, is a synthetic drug prescribed mainly to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. As a sympathetic nervous system stimulant, L-Dopa has the ability to pass through a group of endothelial cells whose main function is to limit particles that can enter your brain. Once through, L-Dopa converts to dopamine to help improve nerve function and reduce movement fluctuations. L-Dopa is a strong drug with common and uncommon side effects. Weight loss, for example, can occur as a side effect or a symptom of disease progression.
Identification
Dopamine is a central nervous system brain chemical your brain must have to transmit messages from one section to another. Dopamine is important for controlling body movements, information processing and plays a role in the limbic, or pleasure, center of your brain. Under normal circumstances, your body produces sufficient amounts of dopamine. When it does not, a disease such as Parkinson's disease or a condition called attention disorder can develop.
Side Effects
L-Dopa has side effects that relate to weight loss. The first is mild nausea, vomiting or a decreased appetite, all side effects that Drugs.com describes as not serious. Although you should tell your doctor if you experience any of these effects, according to Drugs.com, they are not reasons to stop taking the drug. Side effects that are more serious include persistent nausea and vomiting accompanied by diarrhea. If this occurs, Drugs.com recommends you stop taking the drug and call your doctor or go to an emergency room immediately.
Potential
Protein from dietary sources blocks L-Dopa absorption during metabolism and when attempting to enter your brain. This raises the potential for a serious food/medication interaction that leaves you with difficult choices. On the one hand, insufficient dietary protein can lead to weight loss via a reduction in lean muscle mass. On the other hand, if you stop taking L-Dopa, it may leave you unable to perform normal daily tasks.
Significance
Weight loss, especially relating to the loss of lean muscle mass, is a serious issue with Parkinson's disease patients. As registered dietician Kathryn Holden explains, this interaction occurs more often in the middle and late stages of Parkinson's disease and is a clear indicator of disease progression and often a predictor of mortality. Registered dietician Kathryn Holden recommends that you work with a registered dietician as soon as you begin taking L-Dopa to create an eating plan that can help prevent protein deficiency and slow the loss of muscle mass.
Warning
Never take this drug for any reason without first talking to your doctor. It can have other side effects in addition to weight loss and seriously affect both your health and state of mind.
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