LEVODOPA + CARBIDOPA

Anti-parkinsonism medicine. Levodopa is an amino-acid precursor of dopamine and carbidopa is a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor

Dosage Forms

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Tablet

Levodopa 100 mg + carbidopa 25 mg
Levodopa 200 mg + Carbidopa 50 mg
Levodopa 250 mg + carbidopa 25 mg

Uses

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  • Parkinsonism (specialist use only)

Dose and Duration

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Parkinsonism

Consult product literature

Contraindications

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  • Concurrent use of MAOI medicines
  • Angle-closure glaucoma
  • Confirmed or suspected malignant melanoma
  • Severe heart failure
  • Severe cardiac arrhythmia
  • Acute stroke

Side Effects

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  • Confusion, hallucinations, dizziness, nightmares, fatigue, sleeplessness
  • Palpitations
  • Chorea, dystonia, impaired voluntary movement, extrapyramidal and movement disorders
  • Orthostatic hypotension, syncope
  • Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, bitter taste, anorexia

Interactions

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  • Halothane (risk of arrhythmias)
  • MAOI (risk of hypertensive crisis)

Patient Instructions

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  • Take your medication after meals
  • Resume normal activities gradually
  • Do not drive or operate machinery if dizzy or confused

Pregnancy

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  • Do not use

Breast-feeding

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  • Do not use

⚠️ Caution

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  • Use with caution in pulmonary disease, peptic ulceration, cardiovascular disease, previous myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, osteomalacia, open-angle glaucoma, history of melanoma, psychiatric illness and in elderly
  • In long-term therapy, closely monitor hepatic, haematological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, and renal function
  • Avoid rapid dose increases and abrupt withdrawal
  • Usually, 70–100 mg of carbidopa daily is required to completely inhibit peripheral dopa decarboxylase
  • Ensure effective contraception during use
  • Present in breast milk. Levodopa may inhibit lactation