As I understand the chemistry, you need the carbidopa to allow the levadopa to reach the brain. Straight levadoba alone will be absorbed by body and processed out through the digestive system and various organs before it can make it to the brain.

Rytary certainly contains carbidopa, The l-dopa could not cross the blood brain barrier and enter the brain without the help of carbidopa. Also, rytary is available a long acting formulation of the l.dopa and carbidopa. Which means the formulation of medicine is released slowly over the day. Take a dose each morning or evening and it last all day or night. As opposed to taking a dose every 3 or 4 hours of regular formula. It is not uncommon for brand name drugs like Rytary to claim a better formulation than generics and charge a much higher price. One should try for one self and look for a notable difference in effectiveness and make a personal choice choice if the cost saving (as much as 70% less) of generic mediation is worth the change. Rather than have the doctor make the decision for you..

Rytary, Duopa, Sinemet CR, and Sinemet all contains the same carbidopa and levadopa. They just use a different percentages of each in their formula.
L-dopa is just levodopa, but most stopped using it when the carbidopa levodopa formula was introduced.

That moment when you go to answer a question, but someone else already gave the same answer…KennethBruce that’s my understanding too. I guess if you’re getting good relief from a non-carbidopa, it means you’re either at an early stage of the disease or perhaps just have mild symptoms. Is Rytary just L-dopa? I didn’t know that.

I have been taking Rytary for over 5 years, and it seems to work for me without having any side affects. However, I don't have the shakes, i have stiffness and balance issues. However, I started doing yoga, as well as exercise at least 3 times a week, and I walk at least 2 miles everyday, sometimes I will skip a walk. I will say, I do not do a fast pace walk, I just walk. Also, eating a healthy diet, which was difficult as I was a bread, sweets, and snacking. It took a while, but I do not buy anything process, and definitely stay away from sweets. I do on exceptions will have a slice of cake at a birthday party, or eat bread when I break bad and have a hamburger,

I hope this helps for you.