In this expert video series, Joaquim Ferreira, Professor of Neurology and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Lisbon, shares over three decades of experience in Parkinson’s disease – focusing on the evolution of levodopa therapy and what new formulations mean for clinical practice.

Video 1: Rethinking Levodopa Delivery

Levodopa remains the gold standard in Parkinson’s disease treatment, but its short half-life and reliance on gastrointestinal absorption continue to drive motor fluctuations as the disease progresses.

In this video, Professor Ferreira explores how subcutaneous foslevodopa/foscarbidopa offers a new approach — enabling more stable plasma levels and supporting continuous dopaminergic stimulation.

Key insights include:

* Why levodopa still outperforms all other therapies
* The limitations of oral delivery as disease progresses
* How subcutaneous administration bypasses gut variability
* The potential for improved motor control and reduced dyskinesia
* Emerging benefits for non-motor symptoms, including sleep and early morning OFF periods

Video 2: Practical Use & Combination Strategies

Building on the scientific rationale, this video focuses on real-world application and treatment optimisation.

Professor Ferreira discusses how foslevodopa/foscarbidopa can be integrated into clinical practice, including its use alongside other Parkinson’s therapies.

Key insights include:

* Dose conversion strategies and the importance of careful titration
* Use with adjunctive treatments (COMT inhibitors, MAO-B inhibitors, dopamine agonists, amantadine)
* Managing OFF periods and dyskinesia in more complex patients
* Safety considerations and monitoring in routine care
* Why combination therapy often remains essential despite the potential for high-dose levodopa

Together, these videos provide a practical and clinically grounded overview of how innovations in levodopa delivery are helping address long-standing challenges in Parkinson’s disease management.

Video supported by Abbvie