Karbidopa-levodopa (other name Sinemet)

INDICATIONSLevodopa is converted to a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be caused by low levels of dopamine in the brain.

Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

The combination of carbidopa and levodopa is used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. This medication is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Carbidopa and levodopa may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

INSTRUCTIONS  

If you are already taking levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar), you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before you start taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Carbidopa and levodopa can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times.
Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

The regular tablet can be broken or crushed if needed to make it easier to swallow.

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Parcopa):

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.
It may take up to several weeks of using carbidopa and levodopa before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment. Also tell your doctor if the effects of this medication seem to wear off quickly in between doses.

To be sure this medicine is helping your condition and is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your heart, liver, and kidney function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbidopa and levodopa.

STORAGE 

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

MORE INFO:

Active Ingredient: Carbidopa and Levodopa

SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not take carbidopa and levodopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbidopa and levodopa before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body. 

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carbidopa (Lodosyn) or levodopa (Larodopa), or if you have:

narrow-angle glaucoma;

unusual skin lesions that have not been checked by a doctor; or

a history of malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a prior heart attack;

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
liver or kidney disease;

an endocrine (hormonal) disease;

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

wide-angle glaucoma; or

depression or other mental illness.
Carbidopa and levodopa may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Some people taking medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbidopa and levodopa will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Carbidopa and levodopa may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The disintegrating tablet (such as Parcopa) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of carbidopa and levodopa if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

If you missed the dose take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may cause staining of your clothes or bed sheets.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);

high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, feeling like you might pass out;

seizure (convulsions);

painful or difficult urination;

severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

uneven heart rate or fluttering in your chest;

confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself;

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild nausea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision;

sneezing, stuffy nose, cough, or other cold symptoms;

sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

muscle pain, numbness or tingly feeling; or

skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.