Author: Joshua Alexander, MD
COMMON USES:
Treatment of Parkinson's disease, dystonia, myoclonus, and other movement disorders.
HOW ITS SUPPLIED
Tablets (taken by mouth) are available in 3 Strengths:
Sinemet 25/100, containing 25 milligrams of carbidopa and
100 milligrams of levodopa.
Sinemet 10/100, containing 10 milligrams of carbidopa and
100 milligrams of levodopa.
Sinemet 25/250, containing 25 milligrams of carbidopa and
250 milligrams of levodopa.
Parcopa? is available in identical strengths.
Also available in sustained release preparations (Sinemet CR).
HOW IT WORKS:
This medicine is actually two medicines in one. The carbidopa helps the levodopa enter the brain where it acts like a naturally occuring brain chemical (dopamine) to help decrease abnormal movements.
THINGS TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR DOCTOR
* May cause nausea or vomiting, decreased appetite, headaches, rash, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, changes in blood pressure, dry mouth, agitation, trouble falling asleep, and/or nightmares.
* May cause saliva and urine to become darker in color.
* Take with food to decrease stomach upset.
* Liver function tests, bilirubin, and other blood chemisry tests should be done intermittently on children who are receiving this medication.
*Use of this medicine should be monitored with the help of your physician.
* Parcopa? tablets dissolve on the tongue and are mint-flavored.
* Parcopa? tablets can be easily dissolved in water and given through a feeding tube.
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