Carbidopa & Levodopa Teva Side Effects

Like all medicines, Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) and see the doctor straight away, if any of the following side effects are noticed: allergic reaction, the signs may include hives (nettle rash), itching, rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. (This may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing); chest pain; uneven (irregular) heart beat or palpitations; dizziness on standing-up quickly; bleeding from the gut which may be seen as blood in the faeces or darkened faeces (gastro-intestinal bleeding); blood problems, the signs may include pale skin (pallor), tiredness, fever, sore throat or mild bruising and prolonged bleeding after injury; stiff muscles, high fever; mental changes including delusions, hallucinations and depression; fits (convulsions).
The most common side effects are: abnormal movements such as twitching or spasms (which may or may not be like the Parkinson's symptoms); nausea.
Other side effects include: fainting, anorexia, high blood pressure; inflammation of the veins, being sick (vomiting); diarrhoea, discoloration of urine, sweat or saliva; on-off phenomenon, characteristic of some people with long-standing Parkinson's disease. (This is when the patient can have unpredictable changes from being mobile - "on" - to a sudden inability to move - "off". "Off" to "on" can occur just as suddenly); dizziness; sleepiness (including excessive drowsiness or sudden sleep onset episodes), pins and needles; dream abnormalities, confusion, feeling agitated, shortness of breath, hair loss.
Patient may experience the following side effects: Craving for large doses of Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) in excess of that required to control motor symptoms, known as dopamine dysregulation syndrome. Some patients experience severe abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesias), mood swings or other side effects after taking large doses of Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
Inability to resist the impulse to perform an action that could be harmful, which may include: strong impulse to gamble excessively despite serious personal or family consequences; altered or increased sexual interest and behaviour of significant concern to the patient or to others, for example, an increased sexual drive; uncontrollable excessive shopping or spending; binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time period) or compulsive eating (eating more food than normal and more than is needed to satisfy the hunger).
Tell the doctor if in case of any of these behaviours; he/she will discuss ways of managing or reducing the symptoms.
Side effects that have been reported with medicines containing levodopa: These may be experienced when taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
Nervous system: loss of control over the voluntary movements of everyday life; numbness, increased hand tremor, muscle twitching, muscle cramp, irregular movement of jaw muscles resulting in difficulty opening the mouth; difficulty sleeping, feeling anxious or high, falling over and abnormal walking patterns; headache.
Eyes: drooping eyelid and dilated pupil; changes in vision, irregular movement of the eye.
Digestive system: indigestion, dry mouth, bitter taste; swelling of the salivary glands, difficulty swallowing, grinding of the teeth; hiccups, abdominal pain and distress, constipation, wind; burning sensation of the tongue.
Sexual: persistent abnormal erection of the penis.
Urinary: difficulty passing urine or incontinence (inability to control urine flow).
Skin: changed patches of pigmented skin, including, irritated or irregular moles, or moles in which the patient has noticed changes (melanoma).
General: weight gain or loss, swelling in the limbs; flushing, hot flushes, increased sweating; feeling weak, faint or tired; hoarseness, general feeling of being unwell; increased energy or activity, unusual breathing pattern.
If any symptoms persist or patient experiences any other side effects please tell the doctor or pharmacist. It will help if patient makes a note of what was experienced, when it started and how long it lasted.
Reporting of side effects: If patient gets any side effects, talk to the doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed. By reporting side effects the patient can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.