Carbidopa and levodopa

Generic name: Carbidopa And Levodopa
Drug class: Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Usage of Carbidopa and levodopa

Carbidopa and Levodopa is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness or tremors.

Carbidopa and levodopa is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

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

Carbidopa and levodopa 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.

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

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

worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);

severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea;

confusion, hallucinations, unusual changes in mood or behavior;

depression or suicidal thoughts; 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 and 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 and levodopa. 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 and levodopa may include:

jerky or twisting muscle movements;

headache, dizziness;

low blood pressure (feeling light-headed);

sleep problems, strange dreams;

dry mouth;

muscle contractions; or

nausea, vomiting, constipation.

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 and levodopa

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

narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use this medicine 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:

heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attack;

liver or kidney disease;

an endocrine (hormonal) disorder;

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

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

open-angle glaucoma; or

depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

The disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

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

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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How to use Carbidopa and levodopa

If you already take levodopa, you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before you start taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine at regular intervals, with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

The tablet is sometimes broken in half to give the correct dose. Always swallow a whole or half tablet without chewing or crushing.

Place the orally disintegrating tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing.

It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Tell your doctor if the effects of this medicine wear off quickly between doses.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbidopa and levodopa.

Do not stop using carbidopa and levodopa suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

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

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 and levodopa

Other drugs may affect carbidopa and levodopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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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