PATIENT INFORMATION:
Disclaimer: Questions about medications or conditions are best discussed with your doctor or pharmacist. The site owner is not a medical doctor, nor does he know where these medicines may be obtained. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only. Only you and your doctor have the final say in your treatment. "He who self-medicates has a fool for a doctor."
What do levodopa-carbidopa tablets do?
Levodopa-carbidopa (SinemetTM ) is a combination of two medicines. Levodopa can help correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain thought to be responsible for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa will not cure Parkinson's disease, but will help to control the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Levodopa will work alone. Using a combination with carbidopa means smaller doses of levodopa are needed, and this reduces some unwanted side effects. Generic levodopa-carbidopa tablets are not yet available.
What should my doctor, dentist, or pharmacist know before I take levodopa- carbidopa?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
How should I take this medicine?
Take levodopa-carbidopa tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. It is best to take levodopa-carbidopa on an empty stomach. If the medicine upsets your stomach you can take food 15 to 30 minutes after your dose. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Special precautions for use in children:
This medicine is not for children under 18 years old.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than 2 hours to your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Try not to miss a dose.
What other medicines can interact with levodopa-carbidopa?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist: about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines; if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol; if you smoke; or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking levodopa-carbidopa?
Serious side effects with levodopa-carbidopa include:
Minor side effects with levodopa-carbidopa include:
Let your doctor know about these side effects if they do not go away or if they annoy you.
What do I need to watch for while I take levodopa-carbidopa?
Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks or months before you feel the full effect of levodopa-carbidopa. Continue to take your medicine on a regular schedule and do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
A high-protein diet can slow or prevent absorption of levodopa. Pyridoxine (vitamin B) can also reduce the effects of levodopa. Avoid vitamins and foods containing large amounts of pyridoxine (e.g., avocados, bacon, beans, beef liver, dry skim milk, oatmeal, peas, pork, sweet potatoes, tuna). Discuss your diet with your doctor or nutritionist.
You may get dizzy or have difficulty controlling your movements. Until you know how levodopa; carbidopa affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking levodopa-carbidopa.
If you are diabetic you may get false results for sugar or ketones in your blood or urine. Check with your doctor before changing the dose of your diabetic medicine.
Levodopa-carbidopa sometimes makes urine and sweat darken; this is of no cause for concern.
If you have been taking levodopa-carbidopa for a year or longer, you may get an "on-off" effect. The medicine apparently stops working for anything from a minute to several hours, then suddenly starts working again. If you get an "off" period, you may fall as you start walking. Tell your doctor if you fall, he/she may need to adjust your dosage.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30C (59 and 86F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Pharmacist review, home checks part of medication strategy for people with dementia
By: Dallas Bastian in News, Top Stories August 4, 2017
Australian researchers are hoping to improve outcomes for people with dementia after they are discharged from hospital through a medication strategy that starts in the lead-up to discharge and continues into the home.
Associate professor Ashley Kable, from the University of Newcastle, said medication generally changes for people once they’ve been treated in hospital, which makes self-administration even harder for people with dementia, and added the responsibility often falls back on carers.
Kable said currently, home medication reviews can be requested by a general practitioner following a patient’s discharge from hospital, but are not always done. She said the safe medication strategy will include clinical pharmacist review of medications and communication with the carer, training in hospital to use medication dose administration aids and provision of a discharge medication plan and explanation.
The discharge summary will include a note for general practitioners to request a home medicines review. These will be conducted by community pharmacists who will aim to identify any prescribed medications that may be a risk for people with dementia, such as those that may cause confusion or result in falls, any potential drug interactions or contraindicated medications, any adjuvant medications being used in addition to prescribed medications that may be a risk, and any modifications to medications that may be required for a person with dementia.
SO, when your loved one is discharged from hospital, do make sure to go to your usual Pharmacist and ask for a Home Medicines Review. Many of the usual medications may have been changed, upped in dosage, or Brand altered in the hospital. YOU, need to know as the result can be most serious for your loved one. YOU, as a Carer, can do this. Alternatively, have a chat with your loved one's GP and have him write a note to your Pharmacist to do this.
How the pharmacist can simplify a dosing schedule during an Home Medicines Review:
• Reduce dosing frequency and recommend long-acting dosage forms where possible
• Recommend a higher strength to reduce the number of dosage units for a specific medicine where two tablets of the same medicine are taken at different times in a day
• Recommend a lower strength product where the person is cutting tablets in half or into quarters
• Consolidate dosing times to fit in with the patient’s lifestyle
• Recommend a combination product if suitable to reduce the number of medicines being used
• Recommend a suitable adherence aid for the patient with cognitive or dexterity issues
for a closer look:
https://www.veteransmates.net.au/documents/10184/38810/Nov_2016_GP_Insert.pdf/e9b3126e-bf0e-4238-bd74-8cdd617458d0
"With the focus on medicines and older Australians in these lists, we urge people to consider if they are on the right medicine, or whether they could be taking too many medicines and if you are due for a review. It’s always timely to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medicines are unnecessary and if they could cause harm if taken together."
07 August 2017
Disclaimer: Questions about medications or conditions are best discussed with your doctor or pharmacist. The site owner is not a medical doctor, nor does he know where these medicines may be obtained. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only. Only you and your doctor have the final say in your treatment. "He who self-medicates has a fool for a doctor."
What do levodopa-carbidopa tablets do?
Levodopa-carbidopa (SinemetTM ) is a combination of two medicines. Levodopa can help correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain thought to be responsible for Parkinson's disease. Levodopa will not cure Parkinson's disease, but will help to control the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease. Levodopa will work alone. Using a combination with carbidopa means smaller doses of levodopa are needed, and this reduces some unwanted side effects. Generic levodopa-carbidopa tablets are not yet available.
What should my doctor, dentist, or pharmacist know before I take levodopa- carbidopa?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- asthma or lung disease
- diabetes
- glaucoma
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- melanoma
- peptic ulcers
- psychotic disorders
- an unusual or allergic reaction to levodopa, carbidopa, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take levodopa-carbidopa tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. It is best to take levodopa-carbidopa on an empty stomach. If the medicine upsets your stomach you can take food 15 to 30 minutes after your dose. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Special precautions for use in children:
This medicine is not for children under 18 years old.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is less than 2 hours to your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Try not to miss a dose.
What other medicines can interact with levodopa-carbidopa?
- amantadine
- cocaine
- droperidol
- medicines for high blood pressure
- medicines for mental depression
- medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease
- papaverine
- medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
- phenytoin
- water pills
Tell your doctor or pharmacist: about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines; if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol; if you smoke; or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What side effects may I notice from taking levodopa-carbidopa?
Serious side effects with levodopa-carbidopa include:
- difficulty passing urine
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells
- fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- mental depression
- mood changes such as aggressive behavior or hallucinations
- stomach pain
- uncontrolled movements of the mouth, head, hands, feet, shoulders, eyelids or other unusual muscle movements
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness
Minor side effects with levodopa-carbidopa include:
- anxiety, confusion, or nervousness
- constipation
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- flushing of the skin
- headache
- loss of appetite
- muscle twitches
- nausea/vomiting
- nightmares, trouble sleeping
- unusual tiredness or weakness
Let your doctor know about these side effects if they do not go away or if they annoy you.
What do I need to watch for while I take levodopa-carbidopa?
Visit your doctor for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks or months before you feel the full effect of levodopa-carbidopa. Continue to take your medicine on a regular schedule and do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.
A high-protein diet can slow or prevent absorption of levodopa. Pyridoxine (vitamin B) can also reduce the effects of levodopa. Avoid vitamins and foods containing large amounts of pyridoxine (e.g., avocados, bacon, beans, beef liver, dry skim milk, oatmeal, peas, pork, sweet potatoes, tuna). Discuss your diet with your doctor or nutritionist.
You may get dizzy or have difficulty controlling your movements. Until you know how levodopa; carbidopa affects you, do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness; avoid alcoholic drinks.
If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking levodopa-carbidopa.
If you are diabetic you may get false results for sugar or ketones in your blood or urine. Check with your doctor before changing the dose of your diabetic medicine.
Levodopa-carbidopa sometimes makes urine and sweat darken; this is of no cause for concern.
If you have been taking levodopa-carbidopa for a year or longer, you may get an "on-off" effect. The medicine apparently stops working for anything from a minute to several hours, then suddenly starts working again. If you get an "off" period, you may fall as you start walking. Tell your doctor if you fall, he/she may need to adjust your dosage.
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30C (59 and 86F). Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Pharmacist review, home checks part of medication strategy for people with dementia
By: Dallas Bastian in News, Top Stories August 4, 2017
Australian researchers are hoping to improve outcomes for people with dementia after they are discharged from hospital through a medication strategy that starts in the lead-up to discharge and continues into the home.
Associate professor Ashley Kable, from the University of Newcastle, said medication generally changes for people once they’ve been treated in hospital, which makes self-administration even harder for people with dementia, and added the responsibility often falls back on carers.
Kable said currently, home medication reviews can be requested by a general practitioner following a patient’s discharge from hospital, but are not always done. She said the safe medication strategy will include clinical pharmacist review of medications and communication with the carer, training in hospital to use medication dose administration aids and provision of a discharge medication plan and explanation.
The discharge summary will include a note for general practitioners to request a home medicines review. These will be conducted by community pharmacists who will aim to identify any prescribed medications that may be a risk for people with dementia, such as those that may cause confusion or result in falls, any potential drug interactions or contraindicated medications, any adjuvant medications being used in addition to prescribed medications that may be a risk, and any modifications to medications that may be required for a person with dementia.
SO, when your loved one is discharged from hospital, do make sure to go to your usual Pharmacist and ask for a Home Medicines Review. Many of the usual medications may have been changed, upped in dosage, or Brand altered in the hospital. YOU, need to know as the result can be most serious for your loved one. YOU, as a Carer, can do this. Alternatively, have a chat with your loved one's GP and have him write a note to your Pharmacist to do this.
How the pharmacist can simplify a dosing schedule during an Home Medicines Review:
• Reduce dosing frequency and recommend long-acting dosage forms where possible
• Recommend a higher strength to reduce the number of dosage units for a specific medicine where two tablets of the same medicine are taken at different times in a day
• Recommend a lower strength product where the person is cutting tablets in half or into quarters
• Consolidate dosing times to fit in with the patient’s lifestyle
• Recommend a combination product if suitable to reduce the number of medicines being used
• Recommend a suitable adherence aid for the patient with cognitive or dexterity issues
for a closer look:
https://www.veteransmates.net.au/documents/10184/38810/Nov_2016_GP_Insert.pdf/e9b3126e-bf0e-4238-bd74-8cdd617458d0
"With the focus on medicines and older Australians in these lists, we urge people to consider if they are on the right medicine, or whether they could be taking too many medicines and if you are due for a review. It’s always timely to check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any medicines are unnecessary and if they could cause harm if taken together."
07 August 2017