Download carbidopa-levodopa - McGraw

PATIENT’S NAME:
MEDICATION: carbidopa-levodopa (Brand names include Sinemet and Sinemet CR.)
WHAT IT'S USED FOR: Carbidopa-levodopa is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
HOW TO TAKE IT
If you're using the long-acting form of this drug, take it with food to increase its effects.
Don’t crush or chew the long-acting form of this drug.
Take each dose as close as possible to the time ordered, to keep a stable level of this drug in your
bloodstream.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS!
• Call your prescriber immediately if muscle or eyelid twitching occurs. This may be a sign of drug
toxicity.
SIDE EFFECTS
This drug may cause involuntary movements, anxiety, dizziness, hallucinations, memory loss,
psychiatric problems, staggering when walking, increased hand tremor, headache, numbness,
weakness, fainting, slow body movements, grinding of teeth, confusion, insomnia, nightmares,
delusions, general feeling of illness, fatigue, unusually happy moods, mental changes, psychotic
changes, depression, dementia, muscle twitching, heart irregularities, palpitations, a sudden drop in
blood pressure when you stand up, blurred or double vision, dilated pupils, eye spasm with eyelid
closure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, appetite loss, dry mouth, excessive saliva, abdominal
pain and distress, passing gas, upper GI bleeding (if you have a history of peptic ulcer), difficulty
swallowing, bitter or bad taste, lockjaw (contraction of the jaw muscle), burning sensation of the tongue,
urinary retention or incontinence, dark urine, anemia, serious liver disorder, hiccups, hyperventilation,
skin tumor, flushing, hot flashes, and rash. Notify your prescriber if any of these symptoms become
bothersome.
INTERACTIONS
• Carbidopa-levodopa may interact with many drugs. Tell all prescribers that you're taking it
(especially if you're also taking a drug called an MAO inhibitor).
• Consult your prescriber before taking Vitamin B6 or herbs.
ADDITIONAL POINTS:
• Move slowly when sitting up or standing to avoid dizziness or light-headedness. Dangle your legs
briefly before getting out of bed.
• Be aware that this drug may darken or discolor your urine and sweat.
Your initials: ______________
Date: ______________
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