Sinemet (Carbidopa+Levodopa) is used to treat Parkinsons disease. Parkinsons disease is believed to be related to low levels of a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

Levodopa can help correct an imbalance of chemicals in the brain caused by Parkinsons disease. Levodopa will not cure Parkinsons disease, but will help to control the symptoms.

Carbidopa helps Levodopa work better, and this can decrease some side effects,

Sinemet contains the active ingredients Levodopa and Carbidopa, sometimes known in combination as co-careldopa. Sinemet is used in Parkinsons disease to increase the levels of dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine is a substance known as a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are present in the brain and nervous system and are involved in transmitting messages between nerves. These messages allow the normal functioning of the body. The neurotransmitter dopamine is known

Take Sinemet tablets by mouth. Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.

It is best to take Sinemet on an empty stomach, either 30 minutes before you eat or 1 hour after you eat. If Sinemet upsets your stomach, you can take Sinemet with a fruit.

Adults
At first, 1 tablet of Sinemet 10-100 mg three or four times a day. Your doctor may increase the dose to Sinemet 25-100 mg or Sinemet 25-250 mg, depending on how you respond to this combination medicine.

The following drugs may interact with Sinemet

• cocaine
• droperidol
• furazolidone
• isoniazid, INH
• iron supplements
• kava kava
• linezolid
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for depression, avoid those called MAO inhibitors-phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• metoclopramide
• papaverine
• phenytoin
• procarbazine
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Most Important Fact about Sinemet

Finish the full-prescribed course of Sinemet . Do not stop the treatment in between.

Sinemet precautions if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The safety of Sinemet during pregnancy has not been established; therefore pregnant women should not use Sinemet. Consult your doctor.

Sinemet passes into breast milk and women taking Sinemet should therefore not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Special

More common side effects of Sinemet may include:

• abnormal thinking,
• agitation,
• anxiety,
• clenching or grinding of teeth,
• clumsiness or unsteadiness,
• confusion,
• difficulty swallowing,
• dizziness,
• excessive watering of mouth,
• false sense of well being,
• feeling faint,
• general feeling of discomfort or illness,
• hallucinations,
• hand tremor,
• nausea or vomiting,
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