Type of medicine: anti-Parkinson's
Generic and brand names: carbidopa, oral; levodopa, oral; Parcopa; Sinemet; Sinemet CR
This medicine is a combination of 2 medicines (carbidopa and levodopa) taken by mouth to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This medicine may be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor antidepressant within 14 days of each other.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.
It may take several weeks for you to feel the full effects of the medicine.
This medicine may come in different forms. If you have controlled-release tablets, do not break, crush, or chew them. Ask your pharmacist if you have the controlled-release tablets. If you have disintegrating tablets, make sure your hands are dry when you touch the tablets. The tablet dissolves quickly when you put it on your tongue.
To reduce stomach upset, take this medicine right after eating. If stomach upset continues, tell your healthcare provider.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: irregular or fast heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, confusion, hallucinations, twitching, restlessness.
You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause you to fall asleep suddenly without warning during daily activities, including driving a car, eating, or talking. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert. Contact your healthcare provider if the drowsiness continues or is severe.
You may become dizzy or feel faint when you get up from sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help.
This medicine may darken saliva, urine, and sweat. This is not harmful but it may stain clothing.
Do not change your diet while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Certain foods may change the way this medicine works.
Some people taking medicines for Parkinson's disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your healthcare provider about this and what to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.
You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider if you experience any intense or unusual urges while taking this medicine.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your health care provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Dizziness, fainting, trouble urinating, depression, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, severe nausea or vomiting, eye or body twitching, weakness, bloody stool, black or tarry stool, sudden daytime sleepiness, hallucinations; unusual bruising or bleeding.
Other: Diarrhea; nausea; headache; dry mouth; anxiety; chest infection; loss of appetite; trouble sleeping; nightmares; muscle cramps; confusion; rash; dark urine, saliva, or sweat; back pain.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Diets high in protein and highly acid foods (citrus fruits) may interfere with the body's response to levodopa. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
