Pronunciation: KAR-bi-DOE-pa/LEE-voe-DOE-pa
Generic Name: Carbidopa/Levodopa
Brand Name: Sinemet
Carbidopa/Levodopa is used for:
Treating symptoms associated with Parkinson disease and parkinsonism-like symptoms caused by other conditions. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Carbidopa/Levodopa is an antidyskinetic combination. Levodopa is transformed by the body and the brain into a substance that helps to decrease tremors and other symptoms of Parkinson disease. Carbidopa helps levodopa to reach the brain.
Do NOT use Carbidopa/Levodopa if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Carbidopa/Levodopa
- you have narrow-angle glaucoma, undiagnosed skin growths, skin cancer, or a history of skin cancer
- you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Carbidopa/Levodopa:
Some medical conditions may interact with Carbidopa/Levodopa. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat) or heart attack, blood pressure problems, endocrine problems, fainting, lung problems (eg, asthma), kidney or liver problems, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a severe muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers, bleeding), or mood or mental problems (eg, depression)
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Carbidopa/Levodopa. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because the risk of severe high blood pressure may be increased
- Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of high blood pressure or unusual muscle movements may be increased
- Metoclopramide because side effects may occur
- Blood pressure medicines or selegiline because the risk of severe dizziness when standing may be increased
- Butyrophenones, (eg, haloperidol), isoniazid, papaverine, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, or risperidone because they may decrease Carbidopa/Levodopa's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Carbidopa/Levodopa may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Carbidopa/Levodopa:
Use Carbidopa/Levodopa as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Carbidopa/Levodopa by mouth with or without food.
- Carefully follow the dosing schedule given to you by your health care provider. It may take several weeks to a few months to notice benefit from use because the dose is carefully adjusted over time.
- If you are also taking iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate), do not take them within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Carbidopa/Levodopa. Check with your doctor if you have questions
- Take Carbidopa/Levodopa on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Carbidopa/Levodopa at the same times each day will help you to remember to take it.
- Diets that are high in protein may decrease your body's ability to absorb Carbidopa/Levodopa. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have a diet that is high in protein, or if you will be changing your diet to include more protein.
- Continue to take Carbidopa/Levodopa even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you have been taking levodopa, do not start taking Carbidopa/Levodopa until at least 12 hours after your final dose of levodopa.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Carbidopa/Levodopa without checking with your doctor. Side effects may occur. They may include fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal thinking, fast or irregular heartbeat, and sweating.
- If you miss a dose of Carbidopa/Levodopa, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Carbidopa/Levodopa.
Important safety information:
- Carbidopa/Levodopa may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Carbidopa/Levodopa with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Carbidopa/Levodopa; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Carbidopa/Levodopa may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Carbidopa/Levodopa before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Carbidopa/Levodopa may cause mental or mood changes. Contact your doctor at once if any new or worsening symptoms such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; or unusual changes in mood or behavior occur. Contact your doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.
- You may experience an increase in involuntary movements while taking Carbidopa/Levodopa. Check with your doctor if this occurs.
- NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Carbidopa/Levodopa. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Patients with Parkinson disease may have an increased risk of developing a certain type of skin cancer (melanoma). It is not known if Carbidopa/Levodopa also increases the risk of melanoma. You may need to have skin exams while you are using Carbidopa/Levodopa. Tell your doctor if you notice any unusual skin growths or a change in the appearance of a mole. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Some people have experienced new, unusual, or increased urges (eg, gambling, sexual urges) while taking Carbidopa/Levodopa. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects.
- Diabetes patients - Carbidopa/Levodopa may cause the results of some tests for urine glucose or urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Carbidopa/Levodopa. Some conditions may become worse when Carbidopa/Levodopa is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered by your doctor to avoid side effects.
- Gradually increase physical activity as your symptoms improve.
- A dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in your saliva, urine, or sweat after taking Carbidopa/Levodopa. This is not harmful.
- The effects of Carbidopa/Levodopa might start to wear off between doses. Talk with your doctor if Carbidopa/Levodopa stops working well or if your condition worsens.
- Carbidopa/Levodopa may affect certain lab test results. Make sure your doctors and lab personnel know you take Carbidopa/Levodopa.
- Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function, may be performed while you use Carbidopa/Levodopa. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Carbidopa/Levodopa with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Carbidopa/Levodopa should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Carbidopa/Levodopa while you are pregnant. It is not known if Carbidopa/Levodopa is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are taking Carbidopa/Levodopa, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Carbidopa/Levodopa:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; taste changes; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; urinary tract infection; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in vomit; chest pain; confusion; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; muscle pain or unusual stiffness; new or increased involuntary movements; severe abdominal pain; severe lightheadedness or fainting; sore throat; thoughts of suicide; unexplained fever or sweating; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or painful movements or spasms of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, arms, hands, or legs; vision changes (blurred or double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Carbidopa/Levodopa side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately.
Proper storage of Carbidopa/Levodopa:
Store Carbidopa/Levodopa at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Carbidopa/Levodopa out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Carbidopa/Levodopa, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Carbidopa/Levodopa is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Carbidopa/Levodopa. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Carbidopa/Levodopa resources
- Carbidopa/Levodopa Side Effects (in more detail)
- Carbidopa/Levodopa Dosage
- Carbidopa/Levodopa Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Carbidopa/Levodopa Drug Interactions
- Carbidopa/Levodopa Support Group
- 12 Reviews for Carbidopa/Levodopa - Add your own review/rating
Compare Carbidopa/Levodopa with other medications
- GTP-CH Deficiency
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Parkinson's Disease
- Restless Legs Syndrome
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