Sinemet (Levodopa/Carbidopa) for Parkinson's Disease

Overview
- Approved by FDA: 1975
- Purpose: Treat motor symptoms of Parkinsonism caused by:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Encephalitis
- Exposure to carbon monoxide or manganese
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Vascular Parkinsonism
- Multiple System Atrophy
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Sinemet (Levodopa/Carbidopa) for Parkinson's Disease

Overview:
- Approved by FDA: 1975
- Purpose: Treat motor symptoms of Parkinsonism caused by:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Encephalitis
- Exposure to carbon monoxide or manganese
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Vascular Parkinsonism
- Multiple System Atrophy
- Corticobasal Degeneration

Composition:
- Levodopa: Precursor to Dopamine, increases Dopamine concentration in the brain.
- Carbidopa: Inhibits breakdown of Levodopa before it reaches the brain, making Levodopa effective at lower doses.

Usage Instructions:
- Dosage: Taken orally as a tablet three or four times a day.
- Timing: 30 minutes to one hour before meals for better absorption.
- Diet: Avoid high protein or fat diets as they interfere with absorption.
- Switching from Levodopa: Wait 12 hours after the final dose of Levodopa before starting Sinemet.
- Monitoring: Regular blood tests for liver, kidney, and heart function. Regular skin checks for melanoma and intraocular pressure checks for those with wide-angle glaucoma.

Precautions:
- Not suitable for:
- People with undiagnosed skin lesions
- Narrow-angle glaucoma
- History of melanoma
- Hypersensitivity to Levodopa or Carbidopa
- Use with caution:
- Wide-angle glaucoma
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Emphysema
- Mental illness
- Heart, kidney, liver, lung, or blood vessel problems
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: May not be appropriate.

Side Effects:
- Common: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, headaches, confusion, memory problems, nightmares, sleep issues, sweating, loss of appetite, changes in taste.

Additional Notes:
- Withdrawal: Do not stop suddenly; consult a doctor for a gradual decrease plan.
- Driving/Machinery: Avoid until you understand how Sinemet affects you.
- Iron Supplements: Avoid taking them with Sinemet.

Effectiveness:
- Considered the most effective treatment for motor symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease and some types of Parkinsonism.
- May become less effective over time, leading to "off" periods where symptoms are more pronounced.

Alternatives:
- Duopa: Infuses [[treatment:Levodopa/Carbidopa:55d534f51fcaa397470006dd]] directly into the small intestine.
- Stalevo: Combines [[treatment:Levodopa/Carbidopa:55d534f51fcaa397470006dd]] with Entacapone to increase Levodopa reaching the brain.

For more detailed information, please refer to the [Sinemet page on MyParkinsonsTeam](https://www.MyParkinsonsTeam.com/treatments/sin...).

 This AI-generated response comes from MyParkinsonsTeam and other selected sources. It is not a substitute for medical advice. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

Sinemet (Levodopa/Carbidopa) for Parkinson's Disease | MyParkinsonsTeam

Treatments for Parkinson’s and Parkinsonism | MyParkinsonsTeam