Levodopa + Carbidopa
Also sold as: Sinemet, Syndopa
Usual adult dose
Dose is set by your doctor. It is often started with half a tablet of 100 mg/25 mg two or three times a day and raised slowly. Do not stop it suddenly.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- nausea
- dizziness on standing up
- sleepiness
- uncontrolled body movements
- vivid dreams
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- falling asleep suddenly during the day
- hallucinations or confusion
- strong urges you cannot control (gambling
- spending)
- high fever with stiffness if stopped suddenly
Do not take it, or take care, if
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- Taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
- History of melanoma or suspicious skin moles
- Severe heart, lung or mental illness (use with caution)
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Chlorpromazine
Chlorpromazine blocks the effect of levodopa and can worsen Parkinson symptoms.
- Haloperidol
Haloperidol blocks the effect of levodopa and worsens Parkinson symptoms.
- Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide blocks the effect of levodopa; use domperidone for nausea instead.
Moderate4 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Drotaverine
Drotaverine can reduce the effect of levodopa and worsen Parkinson symptoms.
- Ferrous sulfate
Iron reduces levodopa absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
- Olanzapine
Olanzapine can reduce the effect of levodopa.
- Risperidone
Risperidone can reduce the effect of levodopa.