Levodopa+carbidopa
About Levodopa+carbidopa
Carbidopa+levodopa is primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and locomotion, causing stiffness, tremors, difficulty walking, impaired coordination, and impaired balance.
Carbidopa+levodopa contains 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain and helps regulate movement. Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream, allowing more Levodopa to reach the brain.
The most common side effects of Carbidopa+levodopa are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, light-headedness, lowered blood pressure, confusion, and dyskinesia (uncontrolled/involuntary muscle movement). Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
If you are known to be allergic to any of the components in Carbidopa+levodopa, please inform your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to consult your doctor.
Uses of Levodopa+carbidopa
• Management of Parkinson's disease: Carbidopa+levodopa is commonly prescribed to ease symptoms of Parkinson's, such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement.
• Improvement of Quality of Life: Carbidopa+levodopa supports an improved quality of life by helping individuals perform daily activities more efficiently.
• Reduction of Motor Fluctuations: Carbidopa+levodopa effectively minimizes 'on-off' periods in Parkinson's patients, stabilizing movement and reducing episodes of immobility.
• Assistance with Bradykinesia: Carbidopa+levodopa helps alleviate bradykinesia, a symptom characterized by slow movements, which is prevalent in Parkinson's disease.
• Adjunct Therapy: Carbidopa+levodopa can complement other Parkinson's disease medications, enhancing overall treatment outcomes and symptom management.
Medicinal Benefits
- Carbidopa+levodopa is an anti-Parkinson's agent that is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, with its symptoms including tremors, spasms, muscle stiffness, and poor muscle control.
- Carbidopa+levodopa is a combination of two medicines, namely 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'.
- Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain and helps regulate movement.
- Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can effectively reach the brain to block acetylcholine (a chemical messenger in the brain).
Directions for Use
- Carbidopa+levodopa can be taken with or without food as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Swallow Carbidopa+levodopa as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Levodopa+carbidopa
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Loss of appetite
- Light-headedness
- Lowered blood pressure
- Dyskinesia (uncontrolled/involuntary muscle movement)
Drug Warnings
- Tell your doctor if you have any medical history of diabetes, heart attacks, mental illness, stomach ulcers, heart disease, or have recently undergone a surgical procedure.
- After taking Carbidopa+levodopa, one may feel lightheaded, so it is advisable to avoid any work that requires mental alertness.
- Patients taking Carbidopa+levodopa can also have a low level of vitamin B12 and increased methylmalonic acid levels. Additionally, prolonged intake of Carbidopa+levodopa may increase the risk of nerve damage.
- Carbidopa+levodopa should be given with caution in patients with eye problems (narrow-angle glaucoma), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), gastrointestinal bleeding, and psychosis.
- The use of Carbidopa+levodopa is restricted if a person takes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) or antidepressant drugs like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine because it can lead to a high blood pressure (hypertension) crisis.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Carbidopa+levodopa may have interactions with other antiparkinson’s drugs (rasagiline, pramipexole), water pills or diuretics (furosemide), high cholesterol-lowering drugs (atorvastatin), vitamins (pyridoxine), and antipsychotic drugs (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Carbidopa+levodopa may interact with proteins in the food. Therefore, avoid intake of high-protein foods such as chicken, beef, pork, eggs, and fish, as they may reduce the effectiveness of Carbidopa+levodopa. Do not take vitamin supplements with Carbidopa+levodopa unless prescribed by a doctor. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, or involuntary muscle movements, inform your doctor before taking Carbidopa+levodopa.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol with Carbidopa+levodopa as it may increase the risk of adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness or difficulty concentrating.
Pregnancy
cautionCarbidopa+levodopa is a Category B pregnancy drug and is given to a pregnant woman only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionCarbidopa+levodopa is excreted in human milk, but the effect of Carbidopa+levodopa on an infant is unknown. So, Carbidopa+levodopa is given to a breastfeeding mother only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
unsafeCarbidopa+levodopa may cause drowsiness and make you fall asleep suddenly. Therefore, avoid driving if you feel drowsy after taking Carbidopa+levodopa.
Liver
cautionTake Carbidopa+levodopa with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Carbidopa+levodopa with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
unsafeCarbidopa+levodopa is not recommended for children as the safety and efficacy were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Drink plenty of water to prevent headaches caused by dehydration.
- Limit the consumption of sugar-containing foods or those with excessive calories but limited nutrients, as this may contribute to tooth decay.
- Engage in physical activity, such as dancing or exercising, which can boost metabolism and increase energy levels.
- Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Carbidopa+levodopa as it can make a person dehydrated and may affect their sleep. This can make it harder for a person’s body to aid the Carbidopa+levodopa in fighting off infections.
- It is suggested to take a light meal and avoid high-protein foods.
Special Advise
- Do not exceed more than 1 dose (2 capsules) for any off period (recurring symptoms in between regular doses).
- If you have unusual urges like gambling, spending money, overeating or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Carbidopa+levodopa.
- Levodopa must be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Carbidopa+levodopa.
- Take this medication separately by as many hours as required from any iron supplements or products that are rich in iron. Intake of iron can reduce the absorption of the medication.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Parkinson's disease: It is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement due to damage to nerve cells in the brain, which reduces the levels of dopamine and leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremors in one hand, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance. If proper treatment is not provided at the right time, then symptoms may worsen with time. This condition can last for many years or a lifetime. The symptoms of Parkinson's include tremors in the hands, reduced coordination and balance of the body, changes in posture, tremors in the voice, changes in the sense of smell, and sleep problems. Other common signs and symptoms include constipation, skin problems, sleep disorders, and trouble chewing and swallowing. Usually, most people misunderstand the early signs of Parkinson's disease as normal signs of ageing, and they do not seek medical help. However, treatment at the early stage of this disease is more effective and helpful.
FAQs
Carbidopa+levodopa is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, with its symptoms including tremors, spasms, muscle stiffness, and poor muscle control.
It is advised to not take Carbidopa+levodopa glaucoma (damage of optic nerve that is essential for good vision) as it may increase the fluid pressure inside the eye. However, regular monitoring of pressure in the eyes is recommended while on treatment with Carbidopa+levodopa.
Carbidopa+levodopa is a combination of two medicines, Levodopa and Carbidopa. Levodopa belongs to the class of medications name as central nervous system agents, while Carbidopa comes in the category of decarboxylase inhibitors. The medicinal component Levodopa changes into dopamine in the brain and helps to control movement. While Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can reach to brain.
It is advised not to stop taking Carbidopa+levodopa without consulting your doctor as it may lead to a severe condition called withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia with symptoms such as confusion, fever, muscle stiffness, changes in heartbeat and breathing. Therefore, take Carbidopa+levodopa for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Carbidopa+levodopa, please consult your doctor so that the dose may be gradually reduced.
In some cases, prolonged intake of Carbidopa+levodopa may lead to a decrease of Vitamin B12 in the body. So, your doctor might recommend regular tests for the Vitamin B12 while using Carbidopa+levodopa.
The exact effects of birth control pills with Carbidopa+levodopa is still under research. However, it is best to tell your doctor if you are using any type of hormonal contraception. If a person develops diarrhea and vomiting then they need to change their contraception methods like condoms and other contraceptives.
It has been reported that some patients taking Carbidopa+levodopa have experienced stomach upset. To avoid such conditions take Carbidopa+levodopa should be taken with a meal or snack to avoid or lessen the side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, and indigestion. Later the body becomes habitual to medicine so a person can take it with a light meal or on an empty stomach to get better results. Be sure to ask the doctor about the best time to take the medicine.
Drug interactions have been reported when a person takes Methotrexate with Carbidopa. However, clinical research is still going on to know how does Carbidopa+levodopa affects Methotrexate. One should talk to their doctor for more clarification.
Most people do not face any side effects, including jaundice. However, any person who has been taking Carbidopa+levodopa for a prolonged time should consult their doctor immediately if they notice yellowing of skin/eyes or abdominal pain.
Patients with narrow-angle glaucoma should avoid intake of Carbidopa+levodopa. Levodopa may activate a malignant melanoma (skin cancer), so Carbidopa+levodopa should not be used in patients with suspicious, undiagnosed skin lesions or a melanoma history. Carbidopa+levodopa also causes a deficiency of vitamin B12, so patient with low vitamin B12 should not take Carbidopa+levodopa.
Yes, Carbidopa+levodopa can be taken on an empty stomach as it helps maximize its effectiveness. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding it.
Yes, Carbidopa+levodopa may cause dark urine. This is harmless and resolves after stopping Carbidopa+levodopa. Please consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding it.
Carbidopa+levodopa is a precursor of dopamine (chemical messenger in the brain) primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms including tremors, spasms, muscle stiffness, and poor muscle control.
The common side effects of Carbidopa+levodopa include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, light-headedness, lowered blood pressure, confusion, and dyskinesia (uncontrolled or involuntary muscle movement). Most of these side effects of Carbidopa+levodopa do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Carbidopa+levodopa may cause sleepiness or drowsiness in some individuals. You are not recommended to drive or operate heavy machinery if you are not alert. Please consult your doctor if it is bothering you.
Carbidopa+levodopa should be stored in a cool and dry place away from sunlight and kept away from children’s reach. Dispose of the expired medication through a medication take-back program or by talking to your pharmacist.
Carbidopa+levodopa helps control Parkinson's disease but does not cure it. It might take several months for you to notice the benefits of Carbidopa+levodopa; therefore, keep taking the medicine for the prescribed duration.
Avoid exceeding the recommended dose as it can cause unpleasant side effects. If you're not feeling well or have concerns, talk to your doctor. The doctor will adjust your dose or suggest a better treatment plan for you.
