Precautions and warnings

People with heart disease, liver disease, dementia, psychosis, who are pregnant, or who are elderly should be especially careful. It is important to regularly check how well the kidneys and liver are working.

Drug Interactions

Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) can reduce the effect of levodopa. However, Type-B MAOIs work together with levodopa to increase its effect. Some drugs—including phenothiazines, haloperidol, reserpine, pyridoxine, diazepam, oxazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and phenobarbitone—make levodopa less effective. On the other hand, carbidopa, amantadine, anticholinergic drugs, and amphetamines can make levodopa work better. Levodopa also increases the effects of drugs that stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (sympathomimetics).

Serious Risks: Levodopa can dangerously increase low blood pressure if taken with bethanidine, bretylium, or guanethidine. Combining it with furazolidone or MAO inhibitors can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure (hypertensive crisis).

Contraindications

Breastfeeding, narrow-angle glaucoma, melanoma, mental illness with psychosis, and severe untreated endocrine disorders.

Mode of actions

Levodopa is a chemical that the body turns into dopamine. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and becomes dopamine once it reaches the brain. Carbidopa helps more levodopa reach the brain by blocking its breakdown outside the brain. This lets more levodopa get into the central nervous system (CNS).

Dosage & Administration

Adult: PO Initial: 1 tab 3 times/day. Adjust dose according to response. Max: 8 tab/day. If patient has been taking L-dopa alone, combination therapy may only be started at least 8 hr after stopping L-dopa.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Although animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, but during pregnancy, this medicine can be used just when definitely required despite potential risks.

Mothers with a newborn baby who have used this drug during the last 3 months of pregnancy may seldom create symptoms including drowsiness, muscle stiffness or shakiness, feeding or breathing troubles, constant crying. If you notice any of these symptoms of your baby's particularly during their first month, tell the doctor immediately.

This medicine passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.

Pack Size & Price