Levodopa+carbidopa
About Levodopa+carbidopa
Carbidopa+levodopa belongs to a class of drugs called 'antiparkinson agents' a precursor of dopamine (chemical messenger in the brain) primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with its symptoms including tremors, spasms, muscle stiffness, and poor muscle control. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and locomotion, which causes stiffness, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance. In Parkinson's patients, there are low dopamine levels as the nerve cells of the brain (neurons) that produce dopamine begin to die.
Carbidopa+levodopa contains 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa belongs to the central nervous system agents, while Carbidopa is a decarboxylase inhibitor. The medicinal component Levodopa changes into dopamine in the brain and helps to control movement. Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can reach to brain.
Take Carbidopa+levodopa as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take $ame as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. 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 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.
If you are known to be allergic to Carbidopa+levodopa or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Levodopa must be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Carbidopa+levodopa. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor. If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, involuntary muscle movements, intense urges like gambling, spending money, overeating, or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Carbidopa+levodopa.
Uses of Levodopa+carbidopa
Medicinal Benefits
Carbidopa+levodopa is an antiparkinson agent that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Carbidopa+levodopa is a combination of two medicines, namely 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa belongs to the class of medications name as central nervous system agents, While Carbidopa falls in decarboxylase inhibitors. The medicinal component Levodopa changes into dopamine in the brain and helps to control movement. At the same time, Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can effectively reach the brain to block acetylcholine (chemical messenger in the brain).
Directions for Use
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 recently gone through a surgical procedure. After taking Carbidopa+levodopa, one can feel lightheadedness, so it is advised to avoid any work that needs mental alertness. Patients taking Carbidopa+levodopa can also have a low level of vitamin B12, increased methylmalonic acid levels. Besides this, a prolonged intake of Carbidopa+levodopa may lead to greater neuropathy chances (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 high blood pressure (hypertension) crisis.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Carbidopa+levodopa may have interaction 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 food 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 in 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 in 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 benefits outweigh 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 avoid headaches due to dehydration.
- Limit the consumption of sugar-containing food or food with too many calories but fewer nutrients as it may cause tooth decay.
- Engage in physical activity like dancing or exercising, which will boost the metabolism and make a person more energetic.
- 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 of nerve cells in the brain which reduces the levels of dopamine and leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremor 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 life-long. The symptoms of Parkinson's include- tremors in hands, reduced feeling of coordination and balance of the body, change in posture, tremors in voice, sense of smell, and sleeping problems. Other common signs and symptoms include constipation, skin problems, sleep disorders, and trouble chewing, and swallowing. Usually, most people misunderstood the early signs of Parkinson's disease as normal signs of aging and they did not seek medical help. However, treatment at the early stage of this disease is more effective and helpful.
FAQs
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.
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 an empty stomach to get better results. Be sure, to ask the doctor about the best time of taking 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 then they should consult their doctor immediately if they notice yellowing of skin/eyes or abdominal pain.
Carbidopa+levodopa is a combination of two medicines namely 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa belongs to the class of medications name as central nervous system agents, While Carbidopa fall 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.
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.
