Could a levodopa pump help reduce my dad’s ‘off’ periods?

Levodopa was first used in clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease in 1961, and it eventually became the gold standard for treatment. Today, it’s still the most common medication available for managing symptoms like tremors and stiffness.

But “off” periods — when the medication wears off — still leave people with Parkinson’s, like my dad, feeling unable to commit to social activities and other events. As the disease progresses, those off periods seem to be occurring more frequently for Dad, which makes me wonder if there are things we can do to better manage them.

In October 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first continuous 24-hour subcutaneous levodopa infusion. I heard about the pump from someone whose wife had recently begun using it. He said it had been a game changer for her, since she no longer had to worry about manually timing her medication by taking it orally.

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The pump’s delivery system makes it easier for some people with Parkinson’s to avoid those off periods. I suspect that my dad could benefit from it, too.

He doesn’t have it yet, though, and isn’t particularly keen on the idea of installing any kind of hardware into his body. But I know he struggles to maintain consistency with the timing of his medication. In the daytime hours, he functions on a pretty regular schedule. But when evening comes, he stops taking his medication, which has led to reduced mobility before bed and more nighttime symptoms.

For a disease that’s so unpredictable, the prospect of using a system that can help manage symptoms around the clock is alluring to me. What if maintaining a regular medication schedule would improve his sleep quality? How would his quality of life improve if we were able to remove even a fraction of the unpredictability that comes with Parkinson’s?

What I also find attractive about this system is that it bypasses the stomach. I know Dad notices differences in his medication absorption, particularly when he’s eating protein-heavy diets. So my guess is that entirely bypassing the stomach could help to eliminate this issue.

Of course, there are risks associated with installing anything into the body. But I wish he’d give it a try.

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.