Carbidopa
Description
Carbidopa is used in combination with levodopa to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Parkinson's-like symptoms which are associated with some other diseases. These may include shakiness, stiffness, and slowness of movement. These symptoms are usually caused by a lack of dopamine, a natural substance present in the brain.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Carbidopa
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Abdominal pain
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Uncontrolled body movements
Uses of Carbidopa
What is it prescribed for?
- Parkinson's Disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required for this medicine to show its action is not clinically established.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 5 to 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to carbidopa or any other inactive ingredient present along with it.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding or to discontinue the drug based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Hallucinations
This medicine should be used with caution due to an increased risk of severe side effects such as hallucinations, psychotic episodes, and confusion. The risk is especially higher in the elderly patients. Close monitoring of patients for any changes in mood and behavior is recommended during treatment with this medicine. Any unusual symptoms should be reported to the doctor on priority. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
MAO Inhibitors
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients who are taking nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or have taken these medicines in the past 14 days due to the increased risk of severe drug-drug interactions. It is advised that patients should inform the doctor about all their current medicines including herbs and supplements before beginning therapy with this medicine.
Falling asleep during daily activities
This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, fainting, and drowsiness. This may cause you to fall asleep during your day-to-day activities. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while taking this medicine.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
5-Hydroxytryptophan
Droxidopa
Disease interactions
Glaucoma
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of narrow-angle glaucoma due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Hypotension
This medicine may increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension. This risk is especially higher in patients receiving high blood pressure medicines and elderly patients. Close monitoring of blood pressure may be necessary for such patients based on the clinical condition. Patients are advised to get up slowly from a sitting or a lying position to avoid fainting and falling. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary based on the clinical condition.
Psychosis
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of psychotic disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of patients for any changes in behavior or mood may be necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Depression
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patients with a known history of depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of patients for any changes in behavior or mood may be necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised/prescribed. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine prevents the breakdown of levodopa in the bloodstream and the stomach. This results in an increased amount of levodopa available for transport to the brain.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Decarboxylase inhibitors
Schedule
Schedule H
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Apodespan PR 50/200 mg Prolonged-release Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
DailyMed - carbidopa and levodopa tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Carbidopa - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2018 [cited 21 March 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 4 Apr 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.