Carbidopa

Generic name: Carbidopa
Brand names: Lodosyn
Dosage form: oral tablet (25 mg)
Drug class: Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Usage of Carbidopa

Carbidopa is used with another medicine called Levodopa to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness or tremors.

Carbidopa and levodopa are also used to treat Parkinson-like symptoms caused by taking certain medicines or by exposure to poisonous gases or minerals such as carbon monoxide or manganese.

Carbidopa is only used in combination with levodopa and has no effect when used alone.

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

Carbidopa side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

The following side effects may occur when carbidopa is taken with levodopa.

Carbidopa may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe drowsiness;

uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);

severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

confusion, hallucinations, unusual changes in mood or behavior;

depression or suicidal thoughts;

seizure (convulsions); or

severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Some people taking carbidopa with levodopa have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. 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. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

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.

Common side effects of carbidopa may include:

nausea, upset stomach;

headache, dizziness;

sleep problems (insomnia), dreaming more than usual;

dry mouth, burning feeling in your tongue;

weight changes; or

abnormal liver function tests.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Carbidopa

You should not use carbidopa if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use carbidopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

nausea and vomiting while taking levodopa;

heart disease, high blood pressure;

liver or kidney disease;

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

glaucoma; or

depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known if carbidopa will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using carbidopa.

Not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Carbidopa

Usual Adult Dose for Parkinsonian Tremor:

Patients on carbidopa-levodopa therapy requiring additional carbidopa:Initial dose: 25 mg orally with the first dose of carbidopa-levodopa each dayMaintenance dose: Additional doses of 12.5 mg or 25 mg may be given with each dose of carbidopa-levodopaMaximum dose: 200 mg orally per dayPatients requiring individual titration of carbidopa and levodopa:Initial dose: 25 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, given at the same time as levodopaMaximum dose: 200 mg orally per dayComments:-Most patients respond to a 1:10 proportion of carbidopa and levodopa, provided the daily dosage of carbidopa is 70 mg or more a day; for patients taking carbidopa-levodopa, the amount of carbidopa in carbidopa-levodopa should be considered when calculating the maximum daily carbidopa dose. -In patients already on levodopa, allow 12 hours between the last dose of levodopa and the initiation of therapy with carbidopa and levodopa.Uses: With carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa in the treatment of symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (paralysis agitans), postencephalitic parkinsonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism

Warnings

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

What other drugs will affect Carbidopa

Using carbidopa with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect carbidopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use.

Popular FAQ

The short-acting (immediate-release) formulation of carbidopa/levodopa takes effect within about 20 to 50 minutes. The long-acting (extended-release) formulation starts to work closer to the 50-minute timeframe. Continue reading

The immediate-release (short-acting) form of carbidopa/levodopa is usually taken 3 or 4 times each day, while the extended-release (long-acting) form is typically taken 2 to 4 times each day. Continue reading

Carbidopa/levodopa is unlikely to cause high blood pressure (hypertension). It was reported in less than 1% of patients in clinical trials and is not considered a common adverse reaction related to the drug. Continue reading

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