Carbidopa & Levodopa Teva

Carbidopa, levodopa.

Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab 25/100mg (Teva) contains 25 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa.
Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab 25/250mg (Teva), contains 25 mg of carbidopa and 250 mg of levodopa.
Excipients/Inactive Ingredients: Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized starch, and corn starch. Carbidopa and Levodopa Tablets 25 mg/250 mg also contain FD&C Blue 2. Carbidopa and Levodopa Tablets 25 mg/100 mg also contain quinoline yellow (E104).

Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) contains two different medicines called: levodopa and carbidopa.
Levodopa turns into a material called 'dopamine' in the brain. The dopamine helps to improve the signs of Parkinson's disease.
Carbidopa belongs to a group of medicines called 'aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitors'. It helps levodopa work more effectively by slowing the speed at which levodopa is broken down in the body.

Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) improves the signs of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a long-term illness where: patient becomes slow and unsteady; muscles feel stiff; patient may develop shaking or trembling (called 'tremor').
If not treated, Parkinson's disease can make it hard to continue the normal daily activities.

Always take Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) exactly as prescribed. Check with the doctor or pharmacist if not sure.
Taking this medicine: Take this medicine by mouth.
Although the medicine can have an effect after one day, it may take up to seven days to work.
Take them at regular time intervals according to the doctor's instructions.
Do not change the times at which the tablets are taken or take any other medicines for Parkinson's disease without first consulting the doctor.
Try to avoid taking the tablets with a heavy meal.
If patient has not had levodopa before: The usual starting dose is: for Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) Plus 25 mg/100 mg Tablets: one tablet three times a day.
If patient has had levodopa before: The doctor will ask to stop taking the medicine for Parkinson's disease before starting Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
The usual starting dose is: for Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) Plus 25 mg/100 mg Tablets and Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) 25 mg/250 mg Tablets: one tablet three or four times a day.
More than one Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) product may be prescribed. If the patient has been given different Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) tablets to take, make sure that he/she is taking the correct one at the right time.
Children under 18 years of age: Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) is not suitable for children under the age of 18 years.
If patient forgets to take Carbidopa & levodopa Tab (Teva): Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If patient stops taking Carbidopa & levodopa Tab (Teva): Do not stop taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) or change the dose without talking to the doctor first. When patient stops taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) the following can occur: stiff muscles, high temperature (fever) and mental changes.
If there are any further questions on the use of this product, ask the doctor or pharmacist.

If patient takes too many tablets, see the doctor immediately.

Do not take Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) if: Patient is allergic (hypersensitive) to carbidopa or levodopa or any of the other ingredients of Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) (listed in Description).
Patient has had skin cancer or any unusual moles which have not been examined by the doctor.
Patient is taking certain medicines called 'MAOIs' (Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors) used for depression. The patient needs to stop using these medicines at least two weeks before starting Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) (see also Interactions).
Patient has a condition called 'narrow-angle glaucoma' that may cause a sudden build up of pressure in the eye.
Patient has a severe mental disorder.
Patient is pregnant, might become pregnant, or is breast-feeding.
Do not take Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) if any of the above apply. If not sure, talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).

Check with the doctor or pharmacist before taking the medicine if: Patient has a history of fits (convulsions).
Patient has had an ulcer in the gut (called 'duodenal' or 'peptic ulcer') or have vomited blood.
Patient has had a heart attack, heart beat problems, circulation or breathing problems.
Patient has had kidney, liver or hormonal problems.
Patient has had depression or other mental problems.
Patient has a condition called 'chronic wide-angle glaucoma' that may cause a build up of pressure in the eye. The patient will need to have regular checks on the pressure in the eye.
Patient sometimes have sudden sleep attacks or sometimes feel very sleepy.
Patient is due to have surgery.
If not sure if any of the above apply, talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
Tell the doctor if patient or the family/carer notices that the patient is developing addiction-like symptoms leading to craving for large doses of Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) and other medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease.
Tell the doctor if patient or the family/carer notices that the patient is developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for him/her or patient cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm himself/herself or others. These behaviours are called impulse control disorders and can include addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings. The doctor may need to review the treatments.
Tests while taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva): This medication can affect some laboratory tests that the doctor may perform on blood or urine samples.
Patient should remind the doctor if he/she is taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) and is having any tests.
Taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) with food and drink: Try to avoid taking the tablets with a heavy meal. If the diet contains too much protein (meat, eggs, milk, cheese) Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) may not work as well as it should.
Driving and using machines: Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) affects different people in different ways. Some people have side effects which affect their ability to drive or use tools or machines (see Side Effects). Do not drive or use tools or machines in case of these effects.
Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) can also make the patient sleepy or cause 'sudden sleep attacks'. If this happens, he/she must not drive or use tools or machines. The doctor will advise if he/she can start driving again if these attacks stop.

Do not take Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) if patient is pregnant, might become pregnant or is breast-feeding. Levodopa, one of the substances in Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva), is passed into human milk.
Ask the doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine, if pregnant or breast-feeding.

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.

Please tell the doctor or pharmacist if patient is taking or has recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. This is because Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva) works.
In particular tell the doctor or pharmacist if patient is taking any of the following medicines: Medicines for Parkinson's disease containing levodopa: If they are 'slow release', the patient will need to wait 24 hours after the last dose before starting Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
If they are 'normal release', the patient will need to wait 12 hours after the last dose before starting Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).
Tell the doctor or pharmacist even if the patient has only taken them in the past.
Medicines for Parkinson's disease which do not contain levodopa will usually be continued. However, the dose may be changed.
Medicines for mental problems (including depression), tuberculosis (TB), high blood pressure, muscle spasms, epilepsy or other diseases related to involuntary movements. The dose may need to be changed.
Medicines to treat low iron. The dose may need to be changed.
Medicines called 'MAOIs' (see also Contraindications).
Anticholinergic medicines (such as orphenadrine, trihexyphenidyl, benztropine and procyclidine). The dose may need to be changed.
Phenytoin which is used to treat fits (convulsions).
Papaverine which is used to treat impotence in men.
If not sure if any of the previously mentioned apply, talk to the doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. The doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking Carbidopa & Levodopa Tab (Teva).

Store below 25°C in original packaging.

Antiparkinsonian Drugs

N04BA02 - levodopa and decarboxylase inhibitor ; Belongs to the class of dopa and dopa derivative dopaminergic agents. Used in the management of Parkinson's disease.

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