Sinemet

Sinemet (Levodopa, Carbidopa)

General information

Sinemet is a combination product containing two medications: levodopa and carbidopa. It is used to treat Parkinson's disease. Levodopa helps to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease by correcting the chemical imbalance in the brain that produces symptoms. Although Sinemet helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, it does not slow down the progression of the disease.

Directions

Take Sinemet exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The recommended starting dose is 1 tablet, containing levodopa 100 mg and carbidopa 25 mg, 3 times a day. Your doctor will usually increase the dosage by 1 tablet daily every 3 days. When the daily dose rises above 3 tablets daily, the dose should be divided into 4 to 6 daily doses.

Precautions

Before taking Sinemet you should talk with your doctor if you have any allergies, stomach or intestinal ulcers, glaucoma, heart problems, kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis, malignant melanoma, asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Do not take Sinemet if you are allergic to levodopa, carbidopa, or to any of the ingredients of the medication, or if you have pheochromocytoma, narrow-angle glaucoma, active heart disease, endocrine disease, liver or kidney disease, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, rhabdomyolysis.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have hot flashes, gas, increased sex drive, drowsiness, headaches, insomnia, muscle cramps, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, weakness, back pain, dry mouth. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: tricyclic antidepressants (doxepin, amitriptyline, trimipramine), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (rasagiline, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid), phenytoin, isoniazid, blood pressure medications, metoclopramide, antipsychotics (quetiapine, loxapine, clozapine, ziprasidone). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are confusion, tachycardia, nausea, restlessness, insomnia, low blood pressure (hypotension) or high blood pressure (hypertension), vomiting.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.