The following information is a summary about Sinemet. It is not intended to replace a doctor's instructions.
Why is this Sinemet medication prescribed?
The combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet) is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease including tremors (shaking), stiffness, and slowness of movement. Sinemet also may improve your gait (walk), posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhea (oily, crusty, scaly skin).
This Sinemet medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or Sinemet pharmacist for more Sinemet information.
How should this Sinemet medicine be used?
Sinemet/Levodopa and carbidopa comes as a regular and extended-release (long-acting) tablet to take by mouth. Sinemet/Levodopa and carbidopa usually is taken three or four times a day. You may have to take Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa for several months before you feel its full effect. Sinemet may be needed for a long time to treat Parkinson's disease. Follow the Sinemet directions on your Sinemet prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or Sinemet pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of Sinemet or take Sinemet more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa suddenly without talking with your doctor. Sudden stoppage can cause symptoms of Parkinson's disease to return.
If you are switching from levodopa (Dopar or Larodopa) to the combination of levodopa and carbidopa (Sinemet), wait at least 8 hours after your last dose of levodopa to take your first dose of this combination drug Sinemet.
Do not cut, crush, or chew the extended-release Sinemet tablets; swallow them whole.
What special Sinemet precautions should I follow?
Before taking Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa, aspirin, tartrazine (a yellow dye in some processed foods and drugs), or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially MAO inhibitors [phenelzine (Nardil) or tranylcypromine (Parnate)] even if you stopped taking them in the last 2 weeks; antacids, benztropine (Cogentin), dicyclomine (Bentyl), medications for depression and anxiety, papaverine (Pavabid), phenytoin (Dilantin), tranquilizers, trihexyphenidyl (Artane), vitamin preparations with pyridoxine (vitamin B6), and other vitamins.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma; skin cancer; hormone problems; asthma; emphysema; mental illness; diabetes; ulcers; heart attacks; irregular heartbeat; seizures; or blood vessel, heart, kidney, liver or lung disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa.
you should know that this Sinemet drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this Sinemet drug affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this Sinemet drug.
What special Sinemet dietary instructions should I follow?
Take Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa with food. Avoid eating a lot of food that contains vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) such as liver, fish, whole-grain cereals, peas, and beans.
Sinemet Side Effects
Some side effects from Sinemet/levodopa and carbidopa are common. Your urine may turn dark; this effect is not harmful.
Tell your doctor if any of these Sinemet symptoms are severe or do not go away:
dizziness
upset stomach
vomiting
loss of appetite
difficulty in speaking
change in sense of taste
decreased attention span
memory loss
nervousness
nightmares
difficulty sleeping
headaches
weakness
increased sweating
fatigue
Sinemet Side Effects
If you experience any of the following Sinemet symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
unusual or uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face, head, neck, arms, and legs
difficulty walking, especially starting to walk ('start hesitation')
increased shaking of the hands
back and neck muscle spasms
fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
eye pain
Sinemet Additional Information
Sinemet/Levodopa and carbidopa can lose its effect completely over time or only at certain times during the day. Call your doctor if your Parkinson's disease symptoms (shaking, stiffness, and slowness of movement) worsen or vary in severity.
As your condition improves and it is easier for you to move, be careful not to overdo physical activities. Increase your activity gradually to avoid falls and injuries.
Sinemet/Levodopa and carbidopa can cause false results in urine tests for sugar (Clinistix, Clinitest, and TesTape) and ketones (Acetest, Ketostix, and Labstix). Diabetic patients should use TesTape to test urine for glucose (sugar); better results can be obtained by holding the tape vertically, inserting the lower portion of the tape into the urine sample, and reading the color at the top of the damp area.
Other uses for this Sinemet medicine
This Sinemet medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more Sinemet information.
What other Sinemet information should I know?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests before and during treatment to check your response to Sinemet.
Do not let anyone else take your Sinemet medication. Ask your Sinemet pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your Sinemet prescription.
What storage conditions are needed for Sinemet?
Keep Sinemet in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store Sinemet at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any Sinemet medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your Sinemet medication.
In case of Sinemet emergency/overdose
In case of Sinemet overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
What should I do if I forget a Sinemet dose?
Take the missed Sinemet dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next Sinemet dose, skip the missed Sinemet dose and continue your regular Sinemet dosing schedule. Do not take a double Sinemet dose to make up for a missed one.
