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Why is this medication prescribed?
The combination of levodopa and carbidopa is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease including tremors (shaking), stiffness, and slowness of movement. It also may improve your gait (walk), posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhea (oily, crusty, scaly skin).
This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine be used?
Levodopa and carbidopa comes as a regular and extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. Levodopa and carbidopa usually is taken three or four times a day. You may have to take levodopa and carbidopa for several months before you feel its full effect. It may be needed for a long time to treat Parkinson's disease. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take levodopa and carbidopa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking levodopa and carbidopa suddenly without talking with your doctor. Sudden stoppage can cause symptoms of Parkinson's disease to return.
If you are switching from levodopa (Dopar or Larodopa) to the combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet), wait at least 8 hours after your last dose of levodopa to take your first dose of this combination drug.
Do not cut, crush, or chew the extended-release tablets; swallow them whole.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking levodopa and carbidopa,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to levodopa and carbidopa, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] even if you stopped taking them in the last 2 weeks; antacids, benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), medications for depression and anxiety, papaverine (Pavabid), phenytoin (Dilantin), tranquilizers, trihexyphenidyl (Artane), vitamin preparations with pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and other vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; skin cancer; hormone problems; asthma; emphysema; mental illness; diabetes; ulcers; heart attacks; irregular heartbeat; seizures; or blood vessel, heart, kidney, liver or lung disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking levodopa and carbidopa, call your doctor.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking levodopa and carbidopa.
- you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Take levodopa and carbidopa with food. Avoid eating a lot of food that contains vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) such as liver, fish, whole-grain cereals, peas, and beans.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects from levodopa and carbidopa are common. Your urine may turn dark; this effect is not harmful.
Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- dizziness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- loss of appetite
- difficulty in speaking
- change in sense of taste
- decreased attention span
- memory loss
- nervousness
- nightmares
- difficulty sleeping
- headaches
- weakness
- increased sweating
- fatigue
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
- unusual or uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face, head, neck, arms, and legs
- difficulty walking, especially starting to walk ('start hesitation')
- increased shaking of the hands
- back and neck muscle spasms
- fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- eye pain
What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of overdose, call your local poison controlcenter at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsedor is not breathing, call local emergency services at911.
What other information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to levodopa and carbidopa.
Levodopa and carbidopa can lose its effect completely over time or only at certain times during the day. Call your doctor if your Parkinson's disease symptoms (shaking, stiffness, and slowness of movement) worsen or vary in severity.
As your condition improves and it is easier for you to move, be careful not to overdo physical activities. Increase your activity gradually to avoid falls and injuries.
Levodopa and carbidopa can cause false results in urine tests for sugar (Clinistix, Clinitest, and TesTape) and ketones (Acetest, Ketostix, and Labstix). Diabetic patients should use TesTape to test urine for glucose (sugar); better results can be obtained by holding the tape vertically, inserting the lower portion of the tape into the urine sample, and reading the color at the top of the damp area.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription
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