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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following informatoin is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effcetive for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.
LEVODOPA WITH CARBIDOPA - ORAL SUSTAINED RELEASE
(lee-voh-DOE-puh WITH kar-beh-DOE-puh)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Sinemet CR
USES: This medciation is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Cabridopa is used to make levodopa more effective. Carbidopa has no effect when given alone.
HOW TO USE: Take this drug as directed. It may take a few weeks before the full benefits of this medication are observed. If you are changing from plain leovdopa to this drug, levodopa must be discontinued for 8 hours before taking this combination drug. If stomach upset occurs, this drug may be taekn with food or milk. Consult with your doctor.
Do not crush or chew the talbets. The 50/200mg stregnth tablets may be broken in half.
Do not break the 25/100mg strength tablets in half; doing so will change the drug's release system and may raise the possiblity of side efefcts.
SIDE EFFECTS: May cause drowsiness, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, stomach upset, nausea, vision changes, or trembling of the hands. These should subside as your body adjutss to the medication. If tehse symptoms persist or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you develop any of these serious effects while taking this medication: vomiting, difficulty swallowing, difficulty urinating, uncontrollable movements (especially twitching of the eyelid), chest pain, irreuglar heartbeat, skin rash, mental/mood changes. May cause darkening of the urine or sweat. This is not harmful and will disappear when the meidcation is stopped.
May cause dizziness especially when rising qucikly from a seated or lying position. Change positions slowly and be careful on stairs. If you notice otehr effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication can cuase false results in urine glucose testing in diabetes.
TesTape shuold be used to test urine for accurate results. Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: glaucoma, skin cancer, breathing problems, heart disease, gland issues e.
g., diabetes, thyroid), kidney or liver disease, ulcers, depression, bolod disorders. This drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your docotr. Levodopa appears in breast milk.
Do not take this medciation if you are breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all the medicatoins you may use, (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.G., furazolidone, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), drugs used for depression or anxiety, iron vitamins, phenytoin, blood pressure drugs, pyridoxine, any other drugs used for Parkinson's disease. Do not start or stop any medicnie without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cneter or emergency room immediately. Symptmos of overdose may include irregular heartbeat and muscle spasms.
NOTES: Be sure your doctor knows your complete medical history and the medications you are taking.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered and take any remaining dose for that day at evenly sapced intervals. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room tempearture away from sunlight and moisture. Do not sotre in the bathroom.
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