Levodopa : Before Using - Atamet, Larodopa, Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Apo-Levocarb, Nu-Levocarb, Carbidopa and Levodopa, Levodopa

Levodopa - Systemic

Brand Names

Atamet, Larodopa, Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Apo-Levocarb, Nu-Levocarb, Carbidopa and Levodopa, Levodopa Levodopa *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using

In deciding to using a medication, the chance of taking the drug must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you will make. For levodopa and for carbidopa and levodopa combination, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your family doctor if you have any unusual or allergy to levodopa alone or in combination with carbidopa. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Diet Since protein may interfere with the body's response to levodopa, high protein diets must be avoided. Intake of normal amounts of protein must be spaced equally throughout the day, or taken as directed by your family doctor.

For diseaseds taking levodopa by itself:

Pyridoxine - vitamin B ₆ has been found to reduce the effects of levodopa when levodopa is taken by itself. This does not happen with the combination of carbidopa and levodopa If you are taking levodopa by itself, do not take vitamin products containing vitamin B ₆ during treat, unless prescribed by your family doctor .
Large amounts of pyridoxine are also contained in some foods such as bananas, egg yolks, lima beans, meats, peanuts and whole grain cereals. Check with your family doctor about how much of these foods you may have in your diet while you are taking levodopa. Always ask your health care professional for help when selecting vitamin products.

Pregnancy care

Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that levodopa effects the baby's growth both before and after birth if given during pregnancy in doses many times the human dose.

Breast-feeding problem

Levodopa, alone and in carbidopa and levodopa combination, passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted side effects in the nursing baby. Always levodopa may reduce the flow of breast milk.

Use for Children

Studies on this drug have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing use of levodopa or carbidopa in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Elderly people are especially sensitive to the effects of levodopa. This may increase the risk of side effects during treat.

Drug interactions

Although certain medication must not be using together at all, in other cases two various medication may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your family doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking levodopa or carbidopa and levodopa combination, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Cocaine Cocaine use by individuals taking levodopa, alone or in combination with carbidopa, may cause an irregular heartbeat

Haloperidol - Haldol
Phenothiazines - acetophenazine " Tindal ", chlorpromazine " Thorazine ", fluphenazine " Prolixin ", mesoridazine " Serentil ", perphenazine " Trilafon ", prochlorperazine " Compazine ", promazine " Sparine ", promethazine " Phenergan ", thioridazine " Mellaril ", trifluoperazine " Stelazine ", triflupromazine " Vesprin ", trimeprazine " Temaril "
Thioxanthenes - chlorprothixene " Taractan ", thiothixene " Navane " Taking these medication with levodopa may lessen the effects of levodopa

Monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitor activity - isocarboxazid " Marplan ", phenelzine " Nardil ", procarbazine " Matulane ", selegiline " Eldepryl ", tranylcypromine " Parnate " Taking levodopa while you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase - MAO inhibitors may cause sudden extremely high blood pressure; at least 14 days must be allowed between stopping treat with one drug and starting treat with the other drug

Pyridoxine - vitamin B ₆ " Hexa-Betalin ", present in some foods and vitamin formulas - for levodopa using alone Pyridoxine reverses the effects of levodopa

Selegiline Dosage of levodopa or carbidopa and levodopa combination may need to be decreased

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of levodopa. Make sure you tell your family doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Diabetes mellitus - sugar diabetes The amount of insulin or antidiabetic drug that you need to take may change

Emphysema, asthma, bronchitis, or other chronic lung disease
Glaucoma
Heart or blood vessel disease
Hormone problems
Melanoma - a type of skin cancer - or history of
Mental illness Levodopa may make the condition worse

Kidney disease
Liver disease Higher blood levels of levodopa may occur, increasing the risk of side effects

Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy - history of The risk of seizures may be increased

Stomach ulcer - history of The ulcer may occur again