Action of Thymoxamine on Mydriasis induced by Levodopa and Dopamine

Abstract

Eye-drops of levodopa and dopamine induce pupillary dilatation which is inhibited by thymoxamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocking drug. This indicates that the mydriatic action of levodopa and dopamine involves excitation of alpha-adrenergic receptors of the dilator pupillae muscle. Such a conclusion is in accord with the previously expressed suggestion that levodopa is rapidly converted to dopamine, which displaces noradrenaline from adrenergic nerve endings. The findings that dopamine exerts alpha-adrenergic effects at the periphery may be construed as evidence in support of the view that the hypotensive action of levodopa is mediated via the central nervous system. © 1971, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.