A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has Parkinson’s disease.
The client tells the nurse that he gets nausea when he takes his prescribed levodopa/carbidopa.
Which of the following foods should the nurse recommend the client take with the medication?.
A.
1 cup (8oz) plain low-fat yogurt.
B.
1 cup (8oz) of applesauce.
C.
1 cup (8 oz) cooked spinach.
D.
1 oz of cheddar cheese.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is B. 1 cup (8 oz) of applesauce.
Explanation:
Levodopa/carbidopa is a common medication used to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, particularly bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine that can cross the blood-brain barrier, where it is then converted to dopamine to help improve motor symptoms. Carbidopa is combined with levodopa to inhibit the peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine, which allows more levodopa to reach the brain and reduces the side effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Nausea is a common side effect when initiating levodopa/carbidopa therapy or when adjusting the dose. To mitigate nausea, patients are often advised to take the medication with food. However, the type of food is critical because certain foods can interfere with the absorption of levodopa.
High-protein foods (like the cheddar cheese option) should generally be avoided when taking levodopa/carbidopa because they can compete with the drug for absorption in the small intestine, leading to reduced efficacy. Dairy products, which are rich in protein, can similarly reduce the absorption of levodopa, making options like yogurt less ideal, even though they may also help with nausea.
Leafy greens such as spinach contain vitamin K and other nutrients that could potentially interact with medications, although they are not as directly problematic as high-protein foods. Still, their bitter taste might not be the best for a nauseous stomach.
Applesauce is the best option among the choices because it is low in protein and generally well-tolerated by individuals experiencing nausea. It provides a mild, easily digestible base that can help settle the stomach without interfering significantly with the absorption of levodopa/carbidopa. Additionally, applesauce does not have a strong taste or odor, which is beneficial for someone who is feeling nauseous.
In summary, when advising a Parkinson’s patient who experiences nausea with levodopa/carbidopa, recommending a food like applesauce is ideal because it is gentle on the stomach, low in protein, and does not compromise the medication’s absorption.