Carbidopa tablets

What are carbidopa tablets?

CARBIDOPA (Lodosyn®) is a used to treat Parkinson's disease. Carbidopa is always given with levodopa (e.g., Dopar® or Laridopa®) or carbidopa-levodopa combination products (e.g., Sinemet®). Carbidopa is added to levodopa to increase its therapeutic effects and reduce the risk of certain side effects, such as nausea. Generic carbidopa tablets are not available.

What should my health care professional know before I take carbidopa?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• an unusual or allergic reaction to carbidopa, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

Make sure to tell your health care provider about any other chronic conditions you may have that could affect your Parkinson's therapy.

How should I take this medicine?

Take carbidopa tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water. You will take carbidopa at the same time as your levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa medicine, as directed by your prescriber. Follow the directions on the label. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medicine without talking with your health care provider.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. This medicine is not recommended for children less than 18 years of age.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than 2 hours to your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Try not to miss a dose.

What drug(s) may interact with carbidopa?

There are no drug interactions with carbidopa however, many drugs may interact with levodopa. Some of the drugs that interact with levodopa include:

• cocaine

• droperidol

• linezolid

• medicines for high blood pressure

• medicines for depression, avoid those called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®)

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease

• metoclopramide

• papaverine

• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances

• phenytoin

• s-adenosyl-l-methionine, SAM-e

• water pills

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking carbidopa?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. The addition to carbidopa to your regimen may decrease the amount of nausea and vomiting you may have been experiencing while taking levodopa alone or carbidopa-levodopa combination products. This may allow your prescriber to better adjust your Parkinson's therapy to control your symptoms.

Until your dosage is adjusted properly, you may experience more muscle twitches or other uncontrolled movements. Make sure to tell your prescriber or health care professional if these occur.

What side effects may I notice from taking carbidopa?

There are no known side effects to carbidopa. You may notice side effects due to combination therapy with levodopa and carbidopa including some of the following effects.

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• difficulty passing urine

• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells

• fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)

• mental depression

• mood changes such as aggressive behavior or hallucinations

• stomach pain

• uncontrolled movements of the mouth, head, hands, feet, shoulders, eyelids or other unusual muscle movements

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• anxiety, confusion, or nervousness

• dark color (brown, red, or black) of saliva, urine or sweat

• headache

• loss of appetite

• muscle twitches

• nausea/vomiting

• nightmares, trouble sleeping

• unusual tiredness or weakness

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30°C (59 and 86°F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.