Sinemet (Levodopa/Carbidopa) for Parkinson's Disease
Overview
- FDA Approval: 1975
- Purpose: Treats motor symptoms of Parkinsonism caused by:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Encephalitis
- Exposure to carbon monoxide or manganese
- Other Benefits: May help with:
- Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
- Vascular Parkinsonism Show Full Answer
Sinemet (Levodopa/Carbidopa) for Parkinson's Disease
Overview:
- FDA Approval: 1975
- Purpose: Treats motor symptoms of Parkinsonism caused by:
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Encephalitis
- Exposure to carbon monoxide or manganese
- Other Benefits: May help with:
- 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: Take 30 minutes to one hour before meals for better absorption.
- Diet Considerations: Avoid high protein or fat diets as they can 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 side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
- Dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness
- Headaches, confusion, memory problems
- Nightmares, problems sleeping
- Sweating, loss of appetite, changes in taste
Additional Notes:
- Withdrawal: Do not stop taking Sinemet suddenly; consult your doctor for a gradual dosage reduction plan.
- Driving/Machinery: Avoid until you understand how Sinemet affects you.
- Iron Supplements: Avoid taking them with Sinemet.
Alternative Treatments:
- Duopa: Infuses [[treatment:Levodopa/Carbidopa:55d534f51fcaa397470006dd]] directly into the small intestine.
- Stalevo: Combines [[treatment:Levodopa/Carbidopa:55d534f51fcaa397470006dd]] with Entacapone for increased effectiveness.
For more detailed information, you can visit the [Sinemet page on MyParkinsonsTeam](https://www.MyParkinsonsTeam.com/treatments/sin...).
July 15
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