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Plasma DOPA leveLy were determined in depressed patients at various times after oral administration of levodopa with and without a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, D,L-alphamethyl-dopa-hydrazine (MK-485). Pretreatment with MK-485 caused an approximately tenfold increase in the peak plasma leveLY following a DOPA load. Equivalent plasma levels were achieved with ~o the dose of levodopa with use of MK-485. A significant prolongation of the half-life of the amino acid in the plasma was aLYo achieved. The increase of plasma DOPA leveLY with MK-485 is in the same range as the potentiation of clinical effect with this inhibitor.

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