CARBIDOPA-LEVODOPA ER (Generic for SINEMET CR)

Carbidopa 25mg, Levodopa 100mg, Oral tablet, extended release

Cannabis

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Discuss cannabis use with your care team. The effects of your medication may be altered if used with cannabis. Call emergency services right away if you experience slow or shallow breathing, shortness of breath, feeling faint, dizziness, confusion, or trouble staying awake.

· Notes for Professionals: Advise patients to avoid cannabis use while taking CNS depressants due to the risk for additive CNS depression and potential for other cognitive adverse reactions.

Carbidopa 25mg, Levodopa 100mg, Oral tablet, extended release

Alcohol

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Do not drink alcohol close to the time you take this medication. Discuss how to safely separate when you take your medication from alcohol with your care team. Drinking alcohol close to the time you take your medication increases the risk for serious side effects and may alter the effects of your medication. Contact your care team if you experience new or worsening side effects or if you feel your medication is no longer working well.

· Notes for Professionals: Advise patients who are receiving carbidopa; levodopa biphasic release capsules to avoid taking their medication with alcohol. Alcohol interferes with this product's unique release mechanism resulting in a more rapid release of carbidopa; levodopa which may acutely increase the risk for adverse effects and decrease carbidopa; levodopa's duration of action. Dose dumping was observed in the presence of 40% ethanol (80 proof) in a dissolution study but was not observed with lower ethanol concentrations.

Carbidopa 25mg, Levodopa 100mg, Oral tablet, extended release

Foods with high protein content

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Taking Levodopa with foods with high protein content (like meats, cheeses and other dairy products) may decrease the drug's absorption into the body. This may reduce the drug's efficacy for some people. Ask your health care provider about the right way to take your Levodopa product.

· Notes for Professionals: Many levodopa products may be taken with or without food. Follow the directions of the product prescribed. However, foods with a high protein content may delay or impair the oral absorption of levodopa and may reduce efficacy. The Parkinson's Foundation states that most patients have no problem taking levodopa-containing products with meals, but some experience less benefit if they take such products with a stomach full of protein (including meats, cheeses and other dairy products). When this occurs, it is recommended to only take carbidopa/levodopa along with non-protein foods. For patients with more advanced PD, it is best to take levodopa-containing medications 30 to 60 minutes before eating a meal to limit food interference. If nausea occurs, the products may be taken with a small non-protein snack, such as fruit or a cracker, to help.

Carbidopa 25mg, Levodopa 100mg, Oral tablet, extended release

High Fat Foods

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: For the best effect, take Levodopa at least 30 minutes before or 1 hour after you take food or meals. Taking Levodopa with food can decrease the drug's absorption into the body. Especially do not take Levodopa with foods that have a high protein, fat or fiber content.

· Notes for Professionals: Patients with Parkinson's disease should avoid foods high in fat around the time of taking carbidopa; levodopa. These foods may delay gastric emptying, which can decrease and delay the absorption of levodopa.

Carbidopa 25mg, Levodopa 100mg, Oral tablet, extended release

High Fiber Foods

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: For the best effect, take Levodopa at least 30 minutes before or 1 hour after you take food or meals. Taking Levodopa with food can decrease the drug's absorption into the body. Especially do not take Levodopa with foods that have a high protein, fat or fiber content.

· Notes for Professionals: Patients with Parkinson's disease should avoid foods high in fiber around the time of taking carbidopa; levodopa. These foods may delay gastric emptying, which can decrease and delay the absorption of levodopa.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>