STALEVO 50

Pharmacokinetics Carbidopa reduces the amount of levodopa required to produce a given response by about 75% and, when administered with levodopa, increases both plasma levels and the plasma half-life of levodopa, and decreases plasma and urinary dopamine and homovanillic acid. The plasma half-life of levodopa is about 50 minutes, without carbidopa. When carbidopa and levodopa are administered together, the half-life of levodopa is increased to about 1.5 hours. At steady state, the bioavailabilit...

ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions reported with carbidopa and levodopa tablets have included dyskinesias, such as choreiform, dystonic, and other involuntary movements, and nausea. The following other adverse reactions have been reported with carbidopa and levodopa tablets: Body as a Whole: chest pain, asthenia. Cardiovascular: cardiac irregularities, hypotension, orthostatic effects including orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope, phlebitis, palpitation. Gastrointesti...

CONTRAINDICATIONS Nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are contraindicated for use with carbidopa and levodopa tablets. These inhibitors must be discontinued at least two weeks prior to initiating therapy with carbidopa and levodopa tablets. Carbidopa and levodopa tablets may be administered concomitantly with the manufacturer's recommended dose of an MAO inhibitor with selectivity for ...

Drug Interactions Caution should be exercised when the following drugs are administered concomitantly with carbidopa and levodopa tablets. Symptomatic postural hypotension occurred when carbidopa and levodopa tablets was added to the treatment of a patient receiving antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, when therapy with carbidopa and levodopa tablets is started, dosage adjustment of the antihyperten...