Home
Individuals and Families
Health and Wellness
Wellness Library
carbidopa and levodopa

carbidopa and levodopa

Pronunciation: KAR bi DOE pa and LEE voe DOE pa

Brand: Rytary, Sinemet, Sinemet CR

Sinemet

slide 1 of 54, Sinemet,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 650

Image of Sinemet
slide 1 of 54

Sinemet CR

slide 2 of 54, Sinemet CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 521

Image of Sinemet CR
slide 2 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 3 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 538, R

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 3 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 4 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 539, R

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 4 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 5 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 540, R

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 5 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 6 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M CL1

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 6 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 7 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with M CL2

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 7 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 8 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

25 mg-100 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 88, MYLAN

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 8 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 9 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, lavender, imprinted with MYLAN, 9 4

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 9 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 10 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M CL3

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 10 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 11 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, green, imprinted with M C51

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 11 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 12 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M C52

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 12 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 13 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, green, imprinted with M C53

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 13 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa ER

slide 14 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa ER,

25 mg-100 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with L100

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa ER
slide 14 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 15 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with L200

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 15 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 16 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with R, 538

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 16 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 17 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with 519

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 17 of 54

Rytary

slide 18 of 54, Rytary,

23.75 mg-95 mg, capsule, blue/white, imprinted with IPX066, 95

Image of Rytary
slide 18 of 54

Rytary

slide 19 of 54, Rytary,

36.25 mg-145 mg, capsule, blue/light blue, imprinted with IPX066, 145

Image of Rytary
slide 19 of 54

Rytary

slide 20 of 54, Rytary,

48.75 mg-195 mg, capsule, blue/yellow, imprinted with IPX066, 195

Image of Rytary
slide 20 of 54

Rytary

slide 21 of 54, Rytary,

61.25 mg-245 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with IPX066, 245

Image of Rytary
slide 21 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 22 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 93 292

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 22 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 23 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with APO, 10 100

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 23 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 24 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

25 mg-100 mg, round, brown, imprinted with APO 131

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 24 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 25 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 93 293, TEVA

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 25 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 26 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 93 294

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 26 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 27 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with APO, 25 100

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 27 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 28 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, elliptical, yellow, imprinted with Endo 605

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 28 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 29 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

25 mg-100 mg, oval, lavender, imprinted with MYLAN, 88

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 29 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 30 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with APO, 25 250

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 30 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 31 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, elliptical, blue, imprinted with Endo 607

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 31 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 32 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with TV, 9702

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 32 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 33 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, round, tan, imprinted with APO 132

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 33 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 34 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, lavender, imprinted with MYLAN, 9 4

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 34 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 35 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with ETH, 383

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 35 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 36 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

25 mg-100 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 392, G

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 36 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa CR

slide 37 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 391, G

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa CR
slide 37 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 38 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with m 711

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 38 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 39 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with m 721

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 39 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 40 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with m 731

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 40 of 54

Parcopa

slide 41 of 54, Parcopa,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, mint, imprinted with 10/100, SP 341

Image of Parcopa
slide 41 of 54

Parcopa

slide 42 of 54, Parcopa,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, mint, imprinted with 25/100, SP 342

Image of Parcopa
slide 42 of 54

Parcopa

slide 43 of 54, Parcopa,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, mint, imprinted with 25/250, SP 343

Image of Parcopa
slide 43 of 54

Sinemet

slide 44 of 54, Sinemet,

10 mg-100 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 647

Image of Sinemet
slide 44 of 54

Sinemet

slide 45 of 54, Sinemet,

10 mg-100 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with 647, SINEMET

Image of Sinemet
slide 45 of 54

Sinemet

slide 46 of 54, Sinemet,

25 mg-100 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with 650

Image of Sinemet
slide 46 of 54

Sinemet

slide 47 of 54, Sinemet,

25 mg-250 mg, round, blue, imprinted with 654

Image of Sinemet
slide 47 of 54

Sinemet

slide 48 of 54, Sinemet,

25 mg-250 mg, elliptical, blue, imprinted with SINEMET, 654

Image of Sinemet
slide 48 of 54

Sinemet CR

slide 49 of 54, Sinemet CR,

25 mg-100 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 601

Image of Sinemet CR
slide 49 of 54

Sinemet CR

slide 50 of 54, Sinemet CR,

25 mg-100 mg, elliptical, pink, imprinted with SINEMET CR, 601

Image of Sinemet CR
slide 50 of 54

Sinemet CR

slide 51 of 54, Sinemet CR,

50 mg-200 mg, elliptical, peach, imprinted with SINEMET CR, 521

Image of Sinemet CR
slide 51 of 54

Sinemet CR

slide 52 of 54, Sinemet CR,

50 mg-200 mg, oval, purple, imprinted with 521

Image of Sinemet CR
slide 52 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 53 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-100 mg

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 53 of 54

Carbidopa-Levodopa

slide 54 of 54, Carbidopa-Levodopa,

25 mg-250 mg

Image of Carbidopa-Levodopa
slide 54 of 54

What is the most important information I should know about carbidopa and levodopa?

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

What is carbidopa and levodopa?

Carbidopa and levodopa is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as stiffness or tremors.

Carbidopa and levodopa is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Carbidopa and levodopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking carbidopa and levodopa?

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to carbidopa or levodopa, or if you have:

  • narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attack;
  • liver or kidney disease;
  • an endocrine (hormonal) disorder;
  • asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
  • a stomach or intestinal ulcer;
  • open-angle glaucoma; or
  • depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

The disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Talk to your doctor about this risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How should I take carbidopa and levodopa?

If you already take levodopa, you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before you start taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine at regular intervals, with or without food.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it.

The tablet is sometimes broken in half to give the correct dose. Always swallow a whole or half tablet without chewing or crushing.

Place the orally disintegrating tablet in your mouth and allow it to dissolve, without chewing.

It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve. Tell your doctor if the effects of this medicine wear off quickly between doses.

If you use this medicine long-term, you may need frequent medical tests.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbidopa and levodopa.

Do not stop using carbidopa and levodopa suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What should I avoid while taking carbidopa and levodopa?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid taking iron supplements or eating a diet high in protein. These things can make it harder for your body to digest and absorb carbidopa and levodopa. Talk with your doctor or dietitian about the best foods to eat or avoid.

What are the possible side effects of carbidopa and levodopa?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
  • worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);
  • severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea;
  • confusion, hallucinations, unusual changes in mood or behavior;
  • depression or suicidal thoughts; or
  • severe nervous system reaction --very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Some people taking carbidopa and levodopa have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may cause staining of your clothes or bed sheets.

Common side effects may include:

  • jerky or twisting muscle movements;
  • headache, dizziness;
  • low blood pressure (feeling light-headed);
  • sleep problems, strange dreams;
  • dry mouth;
  • muscle contractions; or
  • nausea, vomiting, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect carbidopa and levodopa?

Other drugs may affect carbidopa and levodopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about carbidopa and levodopa.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.

Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.

© 2019 Cigna. All rights reserved
Language Assistance

Disclaimer

Individual and family medical and dental insurance plans are insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (CHLIC), Cigna HealthCare of Arizona, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Georgia, Inc., Cigna HealthCare of Illinois, Inc., and Cigna HealthCare of North Carolina, Inc. Group health insurance and health benefit plans are insured or administered by CHLIC, Connecticut General Life Insurance Company (CGLIC), or their affiliates (see a listing of the legal entities that insure or administer group HMO, dental HMO, and other products or services in your state). Group Universal Life (GUL) insurance plans are insured by CGLIC. Life (other than GUL), accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and disability plans are insured or administered by Life Insurance Company of North America, except in NY, where insured plans are offered by Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY). All insurance policies and group benefit plans contain exclusions and limitations. For availability, costs and complete details of coverage, contact a licensed agent or Cigna sales representative. This website is not intended for residents of New Mexico.

 Selecting these links will take you away from Cigna.com to another website, which may be a non-Cigna website. Cigna may not control the content or links of non-Cigna websites. Details