Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Sinemet.
Chemical Name: CARBIDOPA (KAR-bi-DOE-pa) and LEVODOPA (LEE-voe-DOE-pa)
Sinemet 25-250mg is an antidyskinetic combination used for treating symptoms associated with Parkinson disease and parkinsonism-like symptoms caused by other conditions. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Sinemet 25-250mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE SINEMET 25-250mg if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline), metoclopramide, selegiline, butyrophenones, (eg, haloperidol), isoniazid, papaverine, phenothiazines (eg, chlorpromazine), phenytoin, risperidone, or blood pressure medicines. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including a history of heart problems (eg, irregular heartbeat) or heart attack, blood pressure problems, endocrine problems, fainting, lung problems (eg, asthma), kidney or liver problems, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a severe muscle problem called rhabdomyolysis, glaucoma or increased pressure in the eye, stomach or intestinal problems (eg, ulcers, bleeding), mental or mood disorders (eg, depression), seizures, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. USE OF SINEMET 25-250mg IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, undiagnosed skin growths, skin cancer, or a history of skin cancer. SINEMET 25-250mg SHOULD NOT BE USED IN CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Sinemet 25-250mg.
Follow the directions for taking Sinemet 25-250mg provided by your doctor. TAKE SINEMET 25-250mg BY MOUTH ON AN EMPTY STOMACH at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. Carefully follow the dosing schedule given to you by your health care provider. It may take several weeks to a few months to notice benefit from use because the dose is carefully adjusted over time. DO NOT TAKE IRON SALTS (eg, ferrous sulfate) or vitamins that contain iron salts within 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Sinemet 25-250mg. Check with your doctor if you have questions. IF YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING LEVODOPA, do not start taking Sinemet 25-250mg until at least 12 hours after your final dose of levodopa. DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP TAKING SINEMET 25-250mg without checking with your doctor. Side effects may occur. They may include fever, stiff muscles, confusion, abnormal thinking, fast or irregular heartbeat, and sweating. Some conditions may become worse when Sinemet 25-250mg is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered by your doctor to avoid side effects. The effects of Sinemet 25-250mg might start to wear off between doses. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF SINEMET 25-250mg STOPS WORKING WELL or if your condition worsens. STORE SINEMET 25-250mg at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TAKE SINEMET 25-250mg on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Sinemet 25-250mg at the same times each day will help you to remember to take it. CONTINUE TO TAKE SINEMET 25-250mg even if you feel better. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE of Sinemet 25-250mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE SINEMET 25-250mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Sinemet 25-250mg. Lab tests may be performed while you use Sinemet 25-250mg. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LAB APPOINTMENTS. SINEMET 25-250mg MAY INTERFERE WITH CERTAIN LAB TESTS. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Sinemet 25-250mg. BEFORE YOU RECEIVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL CARE, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell your doctor or dentist that you take Sinemet 25-250mg. SINEMET 25-250mg MAY CAUSE DROWSINESS, DIZZINESS, OR LIGHTHEADEDNESS. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Sinemet 25-250mg with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. SINEMET 25-250mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS, LIGHTHEADEDNESS, OR FAINTING; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL OR USE MEDICINES that may cause drowsiness while you are using Sinemet 25-250mg; it may add to their effects. NEUROLEPTIC MALIGNANT SYNDROME (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Sinemet 25-250mg. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. Patients with Parkinson disease may have an increased risk of developing a certain type of skin cancer (melanoma). It is not known if Sinemet 25-250mg also increases the risk of melanoma. You may need to have skin exams while you are using Sinemet 25-250mg. TELL YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU NOTICE ANY UNUSUAL SKIN GROWTHS or a change in the appearance of a mole. SOME PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED NEW, UNUSUAL, OR INCREASED URGES (eg, gambling, sexual urges) while using Sinemet 25-250mg. Tell your doctor right away if you notice such effects. GRADUALLY INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS YOUR SYMPTOMS IMPROVE. A DARK COLOR (red, brown, or black) may appear in your saliva, urine, or sweat after taking Sinemet 25-250mg. This is not harmful. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. USE SINEMET 25-250mg WITH CAUTION IN THE ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU BECOME PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Sinemet 25-250mg while you are pregnant. IT IS NOT KNOWN IF SINEMET 25-250mg IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using Sinemet 25-250mg, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby. DIABETES PATIENTS: Sinemet 25-250mg may cause false test results with some urine glucose or urine ketone tests. Check with your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine or changing your diet.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Sinemet 25-250mg include confusion, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, headache, increased sweating, loss of appetite, nausea, taste changes, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, urinary tract infection, or vomiting . If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience black, tarry stools; blood in vomit; chest pain; confusion; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, anxiety, depression, irritability, restlessness, unusual changes in mood or behavior); muscle pain or unusual stiffness; new or increase in involuntary movements; severe lightheadedness or fainting; severe stomach pain; sore throat; suicidal thoughts or actions; unexplained fever or sweating; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or painful movements or spasms of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, arms, hands, or legs; vision changes (blurred/double vision); or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Sinemet 25-250mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Sinemet
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE SINEMET 25-250mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE SINEMET 25-250mg for other health conditions. KEEP SINEMET 25-250mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING SINEMET 25-250mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. CHECK WITH YOUR PHARMACIST about how to dispose of unused medicine.
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