DRUGS AND SUPPLEMENTS

Carbidopa; Levodopa extended-release capsules

August 28, 2020

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Carbidopa; Levodopa extended-release capsules

What is this medicine?

CARBIDOPA;LEVODOPA (kar bi DOE pa; lee voe DOE pa) is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole. Do not crush, chew, or divide the capsules. If you have trouble swallowing, you may open the capsule by carefully twisting apart both halves of the capsule and sprinkle the entire contents on 1 to 2 tablespoons of applesauce. Take the medicine/food mixture immediately, and do not store for future use. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

A high fat, high calorie meal may slow the absorption of the medicine into your system and delay the onset of action by 2 to 3 hours. Consider taking the first dose of the day 1 to 2 hours before eating. If you develop nausea, the medicine may be taken with food.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

  • allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

  • changes in emotions or moods

  • falling asleep during normal activities like driving

  • fast, irregular heartbeat

  • feeling faint or lightheaded, falls

  • fever

  • hallucinations

  • new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges

  • stomach pain

  • trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine

  • uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

  • dizziness

  • headache

  • loss of appetite

  • nausea

  • trouble sleeping

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

  • MAOIs like Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

  • reserpine

  • tetrabenazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

  • alcohol

  • droperidol

  • entacapone

  • iron supplements or multivitamins with iron

  • isoniazid, INH

  • linezolid

  • medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

  • medicines for high blood pressure

  • medicines for sleep

  • metoclopramide

  • papaverine

  • procarbazine

  • tedizolid

  • rasagiline

  • selegiline

  • tolcapone

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

  • depression or other mental illness

  • diabetes

  • glaucoma

  • heart disease, including history of a heart attack

  • history of irregular heartbeat

  • kidney disease

  • liver disease

  • lung or breathing disease, like asthma

  • narcolepsy

  • sleep apnea

  • stomach or intestine problems

  • an unusual or allergic reaction to levodopa, carbidopa, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

  • pregnant or trying to get pregnant

  • breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if your symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

When taking this medicine, you may fall asleep without notice. You may be doing activities like driving a car, talking, or eating. You may not feel drowsy before it happens. Contact your health care provider right away if this happens to you.

There have been reports of increased sexual urges or other strong urges such as gambling while taking this medicine. If you experience any of these while taking this medicine, you should report this to your health care provider as soon as possible.

You may experience a 'wearing off' effect prior to the time for your next dose of this medicine. You may also experience an 'on-off' effect where the medicine apparently stops working for any time from a minute to several hours, then suddenly starts working again. Tell your doctor or health care professional if any of these symptoms happen to you. Your dose may need adjustment.

A high protein meal can slow or prevent absorption of this medicine. Avoid high protein foods near the time of taking this medicine to help prevent these problems. Take this medicine at least 30 minutes before eating or one hour after meals. You may want to eat higher protein foods later in the day or in small amounts.

If you have diabetes, you may get a false-positive result for sugar in your urine. Check with your doctor or health care professional.

This medicine may discolor the urine or sweat, making it look darker or red in color. This is of no cause for concern. However, this may stain clothing or fabrics.

This medicine may cause a decrease in vitamin B6. You should make sure that you get enough vitamin B6 while you are taking this medicine. Discuss the foods you eat and the vitamins you take with your health care professional.

Updated:  

August 28, 2020