Type of medicine: anti-Parkinson's
Generic and brand names: levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone, oral; Stalevo
This medicine is a combination of 3 medicines taken by mouth to treat Parkinson's disease.
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. Take it at the same times every day. 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.
It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach. However, if stomach upset occurs you may take it with food. If stomach upset continues, tell your healthcare provider. Do not eat a high-protein diet while you are taking this medicine because it may change the way the medicine works. Talk with your provider about this.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is within 2 hours of 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, muscle twitching, restlessness, seizures, trouble breathing.
This medicine may increase the risk for skin cancer and for prostate cancer. You will need to have checkups regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.
This medicine may increase the risk of dehydration. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop severe vomiting or diarrhea while you are taking this medicine. Be careful when exercising, especially in hot weather. 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 confused. Contact your provider immediately if you have these symptoms.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and medicines that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take medicines such as narcotics, muscle relaxants, or allergy medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.
This medicine may darken saliva, urine, and sweat. This is not harmful but it may stain clothing.
Tell your provider if your Parkinson's symptoms get worse or come back between doses.
Do not change your diet while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Certain foods may change the way this medicine works.
This medicine may cause strong urges, such as to gamble, or have sex. Talk with your healthcare if you have unusual urges while taking this medicine.
If you need lab work, emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect urine sugar test results. Talk to your healthcare provider before you change your diet or dosage of diabetes 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 healthcare 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): Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there), seizures, unexplained fever, rigid muscles, trouble urinating, depression, fast or irregular heartbeat, severe muscle pain, eye or body twitching, weakness, severe confusion, dizziness after you stand or sit up quickly (especially if it occurs several times), fainting, nausea that continues, severe diarrhea.
Other: Diarrhea, constipation, dark urine or saliva, dry mouth, nausea, gas, headaches, nightmares, change in sense of taste, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, nervousness, loss of appetite.
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:
Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.
Diets high in protein and highly acid foods (citrus fruits) may interfere with the body's response to this medicine. Do not change your diet without your healthcare provider's approval.
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.
