Benserazide Hydrochloride

Benserazide hydrochloride is the monohydrochloride salt of benserazide. It is an aromatic-L-amino-acid decarboxylase (DOPA decarboxylase) inhibitor that does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Used as an adjunct to levodopa in the treatment of parkinsonism, it prevents peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine, increasing the amount reaching the central nervous system and reducing the required levodopa dose. It has no antiparkinson effects when used alone. It functions as an antiparkinson drug, an EC 4.1.1.28 inhibitor, and a dopaminergic agent. It contains a benserazide(1+).