Dear Doctor,                    My sister is 65 years old. She has been advised to take Syndopa Plus after being diagnosed of Parkinsons disease (Bradykinesia). However, I am very worried about starting on the drug because I have read it could lead to drug-induced psychosis. There is a history of psychiatric illnesses in my family, my brother (57 years old) has been a schizophrenic patient for the last 37 years. Please advice whether my apprehensions are genuine or ill-founded.
!your information.is correct about the possibility of syn dopa inducing psychosis in.patients. However, it is only a risk, but one has to treat Parkinson also. There are other meds available to treat Parkinson but syn dopa is the first line management. Please do not fear so much, just keep a check on he mood/ behavior / symptoms after starting the medicine. She might remain fine, as not every patient develops psychosis on it. She never had a history of psychiatric illness herself, and you also did not mention that your parents ever had it. So for. Her risk is not significant.I would advise that you start with low dose of syn dopa AMD monitor.response. Make regular follow-ups with doctor. Wish you good luck