Generic name: Levodopa + Carbidopa
Brand names: Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet CR
Pharmacological Effects:
Sinemet is anti-Parkisnon’s disease medicine. It is a combination of levodopa (a precursor of dopamine) and carbidopa (an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylase).Eliminates dysphagia, tremor, drooling, rigidity, hypokinesia. Anti-Parkinson’s effect of levodopa is due to its conversion into dopamine directly into the CNS. This results in a shortfall of dopamine in the CNS. Carbidopa is an inhibitor of peripheral dopa-decarboxylase. It reduces the formation of dopamine in peripheral tissues, which indirectly leads to higher levels of levodopa, entering the CNS. The best combination of carbidopa and levodopa is 4:1 or 10:1. You will see the effect of the medicine during the first day of the treatment, sometimes even after the first dose. Full effect is achieved within 7 days.
Indications:
Parkinson’s syndrome (except for antipsychotic-induced BOS), Parkinson’s disease.
Contraindications:
Hypersensitivity, melanoma and skin disease of unknown etiology, age under 12, pregnancy, angle-closure glaucoma, breastfeeding, severe psychosis or psychoneurosis. Myocardial infarction with disruptive (in history), ulcerative and erosive gastrointestinal lesions, chronic heart failure, diabetes and other decompensated endocrine disease, epileptic seizures (in history), lung disease, bronchial asthma, severe liver and / or renal failure.
Side effects:
When you start using this medication you may experience the following side effects: ulcerogenic effect (in predisposed patients), nausea, epigastric pain, vomiting, dysphagia, loss of appetite, in rare cases – rhythm disturbances, orthostatic hypotension.
During further treatment – spontaneous motion (hyperkinesis), dyskinesia.
- Hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia
- Mental disorders, depression, irritability, insomnia
- Tachycardia, constipation, weight gain (with prolonged use)
How do I take this medicine?
Take it inside, the 1 / 4 of the pill (250 mg/25 mg) two or three times daily. Then change the dose up to 1 / 4 of the pill every two or three days to get the better effect. Usually, positive results may be achieved taking a dose of one or two pills (250 mg/25 mg) daily. Daily dose should not be more than 1.5 g of levodopa, 150 mg carbidopa (6 pills 250 mg/25 mg).
Interaction:
In simultaneous intake of the medicine with beta-agonists, ditilinom and drugs for inhalation anesthesia may augment the risk of cardiac arrhythmia; with tricyclic antidepressants – a decrease of bioavailability of the medicine; with Li + treatment increases the risk of dyskinesias and hallucinations; with methyldopa – aggravation of side effects.
Storage:
Keep in cool, dark place away from children and animals.
Warning: Before taking the medicine you need to consult your physician.
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