A rapid, serious and potentially life-threatening hypertensive reaction can occur in patients taking
MAOIs if they are also given
levodopa.
An interaction with
levodopa given with carbidopa or benserazide is unlikely. Even so, the manufacturers continue to list the
MAOIs among their contraindi- cations and say that patients should not be given
levodopa during treatment with
MAOIs, nor for a period of 2 to 3 weeks after their withdrawal.