Sinemet Tablets 25Mg/250Mg (1 Strip = 10 Tablets)

Requires Prescription (YES/NO)

Yes

Generics

Levodopa , Carbidopa

Used For

Anti-Parkinson

How it works

It contains two different medicines called: levodopa and carbidopa. • Levodopa turns into a material called ‘dopamine’ in your brain. The dopamine helps to improve the signs of your Parkinson’s disease. • Carbidopa belongs to a group of medicines called ‘aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors’. It helps levodopa work more effectively by slowing the speed at which levodopa is broken down in your body.

Dosage

Levodopa , Carbidopa

Side Effects

The most common side effects are • Abnormal movements such as twitching or spasms (which may or may not be like your Parkinson's symptoms) • nausea. Other side effects include • Fainting, anorexia, high blood pressure • inflammation of the veins, being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea, discoloration of urine, sweat or saliva • on-off phenomenon, characteristic of some people with long-standing Parkinson’s disease. This is when you can have unpredictable changes from being mobile - “on” - to a sudden inability to move - “off”. “Off” to “on” can occur just as suddenly. • dizziness; sleepiness (including excessive drowsiness or sudden sleep onset episodes), pins and needles • dream abnormalities, confusion, feeling agitated, shortness of breath, hair loss .

Drug Interactions

MAOIs , Anticholinergic medicines such as orphenadrine, trihexyphenidyl, benzatropine and procyclidine , Phenytoin , Papaverine .

Indication

It improves the signs of Parkinson’s disease .

When not to Use

Do not take if: • You are allergic (hypersensitive) to carbidopa or levodopa or any of the other ingredients in the list • You have ever had skin cancer or you have any unusual moles which have not been examined by your doctor • You are taking certain medicines called ‘MAOIs’ (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) used for depression. You need to stop using these medicines at least two weeks before you start this medicine.

Precaution

Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices you are developing addiction-like symptoms leading to craving for large doses of this medicine and other medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Warning 1

Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices you are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you or you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others.

Warning 2

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if you have a history of fits (convulsions) .

Warning 3

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if you have had an ulcer in your gut (called ‘duodenal’ or ‘peptic ulcer’) or have vomited blood .

Pregnancy category

Always consult your physician before using any medicine.

Storage (YES/NO)

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.