Levodopa + Carbidopa

Also sold as: Sinemet, Syndopa

Prescription neededParkinson's, dizziness and migraine

Comes as:Tablet

Usual adult dose

Parkinson's, dizziness and migraine

Levodopa + Carbidopa

Also sold as: Sinemet, Syndopa

Prescription neededParkinson's, dizziness and migraine

Comes as:Tablet

Usual adult dose

Dose is set by your doctor. It is often started with half a tablet of 100 mg/25 mg two or three times a day and raised slowly. Do not stop it suddenly.

Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.

Side effects

Common

nausea
dizziness on standing up
sleepiness
uncontrolled body movements
vivid dreams

Serious — get help

Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:

falling asleep suddenly during the day
hallucinations or confusion
strong urges you cannot control (gambling
spending)
high fever with stiffness if stopped suddenly

Do not take it, or take care, if

Narrow-angle glaucoma
Taking an MAO inhibitor antidepressant
History of melanoma or suspicious skin moles
Severe heart, lung or mental illness (use with caution)
Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Interactions

Medicines that can react with this one.

Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.

Chlorpromazine
Chlorpromazine blocks the effect of levodopa and can worsen Parkinson symptoms.
Haloperidol
Haloperidol blocks the effect of levodopa and worsens Parkinson symptoms.
Metoclopramide
Metoclopramide blocks the effect of levodopa; use domperidone for nausea instead.

Moderate4 medicinesTake together only with care. Ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Drotaverine
Drotaverine can reduce the effect of levodopa and worsen Parkinson symptoms.
Ferrous sulfate
Iron reduces levodopa absorption; take them at least 2 hours apart.
Olanzapine
Olanzapine can reduce the effect of levodopa.
Risperidone
Risperidone can reduce the effect of levodopa.