Brand Names

How to Use

At first, levodopa may be taken with a meal or a snack, so that any effects like stomach upset will be lessened. Later, as your body becomes accustomed to the drug, it must be taken on an empty stomach so that it works better. Be sure to talk to your family doctor about the best time for you to take this drug.

Take this drug only as directed . Do not take more or less of it and do not take it more often than your family doctor ordered.

For diseaseds taking carbidopa and levodopa extended-release tablets :

• Swallow the tablet whole without crushing or chewing, unless your family doctor tells you not to. If your family doctor tells you to, you may break the tablet in half.

Some people must take this drug for few weeks or months before full benefit is received Do not stop taking it even if you do not think it is working . Instead, check with your family doctor.

Dosage

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on your special needs .

For levodopa
• For Parkinson's disease:
  • For oral dosage form - tablets:
    • Adults and teenagers At first, 250 milligrams - mg two to four times a day. Your family doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8000 mg - 8 grams a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For levodopa and carbidopa combination
• For Parkinson's disease:
  • For oral tablet dosage form:
    • Adults At first, 1 tablet three or four times a day. Your family doctor may need to change your dose, depending on how you respond to this combination drug.
    • Children and teenagers Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.
  • For oral extended-release tablet dosage form:
    • Adults At first, 1 tablet two times a day. However, you may need to take more than this. Your family doctor will decide the right dose for you, depending on your condition and the other medication you may be taking for Parkinson's disease.
    • Children and teenagers Use and dose must be determined by your family doctor.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if your next scheduled dose is within 2 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.