Motivated by the success of dopaminergic drugs in treating rigidity associated with Parkinson's disease, some neurologists have used carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet) to attempt to improve spasticity in ALS and PLS patients. However, data on the efficacy of carbidopa/levodopa is limited. Given the limited data and potential to improve the quality of life of these patients, the effectiveness of carbidopa-levodopa in ALS and PLS patients with severe spasticity should be studied. The investigators hypothesis is that administration of carbidopa-levodopa will improve spasticity in ALS and PLS patients.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Diagnosis of ALS or PLS
- Age greater than 18 years
- Clinically significant spasticity.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Individuals currently taking carbidopa-levodopa or with known hypersensitivity of any
component of carbidopa-levodopa
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Current use of a non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
- History of malignant melanoma or suspicious skin lesions
- History of depression, suicidal ideation, or psychosis
- History of myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmia, or severe cardiopulmonary
disease
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Asthma
- Renal disease
- Hepatic disease
- Endocrine disease
- History of peptic ulcer
- Pregnant and/or breastfeeding
- Current participation in another interventional study