Sinemet (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.
Use a Sinemet as doctor has appointed for you. Take Sinemet at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating by mouth on an empty stomach.
- Follow the dosing schedule given to you by your health care provider carefully. It may take several weeks to a few months to notice benefit from use because the dose is carefully adjusted over time.
- Do not take iron salts (eg, ferrous sulfate) within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Sinemet . Ask your doctor if you have questions.
- Sinemet works better if to take it at the same time every day. Take Sinemet 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.
- Do not start taking Sinemet until at least 12 hours after your final dose of Levodopa, if you have been taking levodopa.
- Do not pass any dozes. If you pass doze Sinemet, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and come back to your regular schedule of batching. Do not take 2 dozes at once.
Sinemet should be stored with care! Keep Carbidopa/Levodopa away from children and pets. Store away from a heat, wetness, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Store Sinemet at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C) in a tightly closed container. Brief periods at temperatures of 59 to 86 degrees F (15 to 30 degrees C) are permitted.
Carbidopa/Levodopa should be used only by the patient for whom it is offered. Do not share it with other people. Check with your doctor, if your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse.
Sinemet Safety information
Do not use Sinemet if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Sinemet;
- you have narrow-angle glaucoma, undiagnosed skin growths, skin cancer, or a history of skin cancer;
- you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days.
Remember these important rools:
Sinemet can cause drowsiness and dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting, these effects can be worse, if you take it with alcohol, certain medicines, become overheated or do too much physical exercises. Use Sinemet with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe while you do know how you react to it.
Do not drink alcohol and do not use medicine which can cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you use Sinemet; it can add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions, on medicines which can cause drowsiness.
Tell your doctor or dentist, that you take Sinemet before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
Increase physical activity gradually, as your symptoms improve.
Be cautious! Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Sinemet . 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.
For diabetes patients - Sinemet may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely, ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine. Sinemet may cause the results of some tests for urine ketones to be wrong. Ask your doctor before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetes medicine.
Do not stop taking Sinemet suddenly. Some conditions may become worse when Sinemet is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered by your doctor to avoid side effects.
After taking Sinemet may appear in your saliva, urine, or sweat dark color (red, brown, or black). This is not harmful.
The effects of Sinemet might start to wear off between doses. Talk with your doctor if Sinemet stops working well or if your condition worsens.
While you use Sinemet, lab tests, including complete blood cell counts and liver function tests, may be performed. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments. If you pass any lab tests tell the nurse and the doctor that you take Carbidopa/Levodopa.
It is better not to take Carbidopa/Levodopa during pregnancy and breast feeding because it is unknown whether it passes into breast milk and if it causes harm to unborn baby.
Sinemet Side Effects
Tell your doctor if any of these most common side effects of Carbidopa/Levodopa persist or become bothersome:
- confusion; dizziness; headache; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased sweating; constipation; taste changes or loss of appetite with upset stomach or vomiting; diarrhea; nausea; trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if severe allergic reaction or any of these severe side effects occur. The symptoms of allergic reaction are rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
Other possible adverse effects are: 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; 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/double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
