What Is Carbidopa-Levodopa CR?
Carbidopa-levodopa CR (
Sinemet® CR) is a prescription medication most frequently used to treat
Parkinson's disease. This medication is also approved to treat
Parkinsonism (Parkinson-like symptoms) due to
encephalitis (inflammation or infection of the brain), manganese poisoning, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Carbidopa-levodopa CR is specially designed to slowly release the medication over four to six hours, helping to prevent fluctuations in the level of carbidopa and levodopa in the blood.
Side Effects of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
As with any medicine, carbidopa-levodopa CR can cause side effects. Although some
side effects of carbidopa-levodopa CR are merely bothersome, some are quite serious or intolerable. Side effects often limit the usefulness of carbidopa-levodopa CR.
- Involuntary movements
- Nausea and vomiting
- Hallucinations
- Confusion.
Carbidopa-Levodopa CR: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Dosing Information for Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
The dose of
carbidopa-levodopa CR that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- Your previous dose of immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa (if you were taking it)
- How you respond to carbidopa-levodopa CR (especially if you develop bothersome side effects)
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Drug Interactions With Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
What If I Take an Overdose of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR?
People who take too much
carbidopa-levodopa CR may experience symptoms such as:
If you happen to take too much carbidopa-levodopa CR, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Carbidopa-Levodopa CR Be Stored?
Carbidopa-levodopa CR tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep carbidopa-levodopa CR and all other medications out of the reach of children.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR?
If you forget to take a dose of carbidopa-levodopa CR, take your missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
How Does Carbidopa-Levodopa CR Work?
Carbidopa-levodopa CR contains two different active ingredients, levodopa and
carbidopa. The levodopa is the "real" ingredient in carbidopa-levodopa CR that works for
Parkinson's disease. The carbidopa does not have any direct effects on Parkinson's disease when used alone, but it does help to make the levodopa more effective.
Dopamine deficiency (caused by a loss of dopamine-producing cells) in certain parts of the brain may be responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Although it would make sense to give dopamine to help treat Parkinson's, this does not work, as dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, which means that the body can use levodopa to make dopamine. Unlike dopamine, levodopa crosses the blood-brain barrier.
Levodopa is almost always given in combination with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa into dopamine until it reaches the brain, preventing or diminishing some of the side effects that often accompany levodopa therapy. Carbidopa also reduces the amount of levodopa needed for
Parkinson's disease treatment.
When and How to Take Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
Some general considerations for when and how to take carbidopa-levodopa CR include the following:
- The medication comes in extended-release tablet form. It is taken by mouth usually two or three times a day.
- Do not crush or chew carbidopa-levodopa CR tablets. However, carbidopa-levodopa CR 50-200 mg tablets (but not 25-100 mg tablets) may be broken in half along the score line if necessary.
- The protein in food can decrease the absorption of carbidopa-levodopa CR into the body. Some healthcare providers recommend taking carbidopa-levodopa CR on an empty stomach (or with a low-protein diet).
- Make sure to take carbidopa-levodopa CR at the same times each day to maintain an even level of the medication in your blood.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Carbidopa-levodopa CR will not work if you stop taking it. Do not suddenly stop taking the drug without first talking to your healthcare provider.
Who Makes Carbidopa-Levodopa CR?
Carbidopa-levodopa CR is marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and made by Merck & Co., Inc.
Strengths of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
Carbidopa-levodopa CR tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Carbidopa-levodopa CR 25-100 mg (25 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa)
- Carbidopa-levodopa CR 50-200 mg (50 mg of carbidopa and 200 mg of levodopa).
Generic Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
