Before taking Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to carbidopa or levodopa; or if you have any other allergies.
Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain eye problem (narrow-angle glaucoma), past or present skin cancer (e.g., melanoma, undiagnosed skin lesions).
Before using Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: adrenal gland problem, bleeding disorders, breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), diabetes, certain eye problem (wide-angle glaucoma), heart or blood vessel problems (e.g., arrhythmias, heart attack, angina), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression, schizophrenia), thyroid problem, peptic ulcer, seizure.
Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness or clear vision such as driving or using machinery. Avoid alcoholic beverages.
To minimize lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG.
If you have diabetes, levodopa/carbidopa may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any symptoms such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic diet or medication may need to be adjusted.
This medicine may contain aspartame. If you have phenylketonuria (PKU) or any other condition that requires you to restrict your intake of aspartame (or phenylalanine), consult your doctor or pharmacist regarding the safe use of this medicine.
Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Levodopa may pass into breast milk and affect milk production. Because of the potential risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Store in a tightly closed container at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from high heat, moisture, and light. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Levodopa may turn a darker color when not properly stored. If this occurs, it may not work as well and may need to be thrown out and replaced. Consult your pharmacist for more information on what to do if the medication changes color. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Take Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG by mouth with food, usually 3 to 4 times a day or as directed by your doctor. If you have been taking levodopa without any carbidopa and are taking this combination for the first time, wait at least 12 hours after your last levodopa dose before starting Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG. You may want to take your last levodopa dose in the early evening so that you can start your first dose in the morning. Your doctor will usually reduce your levodopa dose when starting this combination to prevent side effects from too much dopamine. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions closely.
This combination comes in different strengths with different amounts of carbidopa and levodopa in each tablet. Be sure you have the correct strength of both drugs. Your doctor may also prescribe carbidopa alone to be taken with this combination.
Gently remove the tablet from the bottle with dry hands just before taking a dose. Immediately place the tablet on the tongue. It will dissolve quickly and can be swallowed with your saliva. No water is needed to take Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG.
Avoid high-protein diets because they may prevent absorption of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG. Separate your dose of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG as many hours as possible from any iron supplements or products containing iron (e.g., multivitamins with minerals) you may take. Iron can reduce the amount of carbidopa and levodopa available to the body.
Use Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day. Dosage of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Some people may experience a decrease in the effectiveness of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG just before the next dose is due. If this occurs and is bothersome, notify your doctor. Do not change your dose of this or any other medication without checking with your doctor first.
Do not stop taking Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is quickly reduced or suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually reduced. (See also Side Effects section.)
Inform your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, and headache may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG do not have serious side effects.
Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG may cause your urine, sweat or saliva to turn red, brown, or black. This is harmless, but your clothes may become discolored.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: greatly increased eye blinking/twitching, irregular heartbeat, fainting, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide), worsening of involuntary movements/spasms.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bleeding/bruising, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), change in the appearance/size of moles or other unusual skin changes, tingling of the hands/feet, vision changes (e.g., blurred/double vision).
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, seizures, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, black/tarry stools.
Abruptly stopping or reducing the dose of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG may rarely cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fast/shallow breathing, confusion, severe dizziness/fainting, high fever, unusual muscle stiffness, unusual sweating.
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.
A very serious allergic reaction is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. The following numbers do not provide medical advice, but in the US you may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you may call Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Click HERE to learn more about Parcopa side effects.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
If you miss a dose of Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
See also How to Use Section.
Your healthcare professional (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not stop or change the dosage of any medicine without checking with them first.
Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, isocarboxazid, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, tranylcypromine) within 2 weeks before, during, and after treatment with Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG. In some cases a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction may occur.
Certain MAO inhibitors (rasagiline, selegiline) may be used cautiously with close monitoring by your doctor.
If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG. If you are taking rasagiline or selegiline for Parkinson's disease, ask your doctor if you should continue taking it.
Before using Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: other drugs to treat Parkinson's disease (e.g., all levodopa-containing products, benztropine, entacapone), medicine for high blood pressure (e.g., guanethidine, methyldopa, reserpine), antidepressants (e.g., tricyclics such as amitriptyline/nortriptyline), antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, thioridazine, risperidone), metoclopramide, phenytoin, papaverine, certain sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines such as chlordiazepoxide/diazepam), tryptophan (e.g., l-tryptophan, oxitriptan).
Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including urine catecholamine/glucose/ketone tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use Parcopa (carbidopa/levodopa) 25/250MG.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The preceding information is intended to heighten awareness of health information and does not suggest diagnosis or treatment. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.