Sinemet Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Sinemet Tablet contains carbidopa and levodopa, a combination used to treat Parkinson's disease and certain types of parkinsonism. Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain to help control movement, while carbidopa helps more levodopa reach the brain. It is taken by mouth at evenly spaced times as directed by a doctor, and it is not recommended for children or teenagers under 18 years of age.

What is Sinemet Tablet

Sinemet is a prescription tablet containing two medicines, levodopa and carbidopa, used to treat Parkinson's disease and certain types of parkinsonism. Levodopa is changed into dopamine in the brain, while carbidopa helps more levodopa reach the brain.

Sinemet Tablet uses

• Parkinson's disease
• Parkinson-like symptoms (parkinsonism), including after brain swelling (encephalitis), carbon monoxide poisoning, or manganese exposure
• Muscle stiffness
• Tremor
• Slow movement

Benefits of Sinemet Tablet

• Controls tremor, stiffness and slow movement in Parkinson's disease
• Improves difficulty in swallowing and drooling in some patients
• Allows lower doses of levodopa to be used, which can reduce nausea and vomiting
• Reduces tremors: may decrease shaking or involuntary movements
• Improves muscle stiffness: helps relax rigid muscles and improve mobility

How Sinemet Tablet works

Parkinson's disease symptoms happen because certain brain cells stop making enough of a chemical called dopamine, which helps control muscle movement. Levodopa is changed into dopamine once it reaches the brain, helping to ease symptoms. Carbidopa stops levodopa from being broken down before it gets to the brain, so more of it can reach the brain and work effectively.

Sinemet Tablet dosage

Swallow the tablets, whole or as half tablets, with a glass of water. Take at evenly spaced times through the day, as directed by your doctor. The tablets can be taken with or without food, but avoid taking them with a heavy or high-protein meal, as this can slow down or reduce how well the medicine works. Do not crush, split, or chew the tablets unless your tablet has a score line meant for splitting into equal doses. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or change your dose without checking with your doctor first. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule; do not take a double dose. This medicine is not recommended for children or teenagers under 18 years of age.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets

Side effects of Sinemet Tablet

Common

• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness, including when standing up
• Involuntary movements such as twitching or spasms
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Abnormal dreams or trouble sleeping
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Dark-colored urine, sweat, or saliva
• Hair loss
• Anxiety

Serious

• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• Severe mood changes, depression, or thoughts of self-harm
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Uncontrolled or worsening involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
• Sudden episodes of falling asleep without warning, including while driving
• Impulse control problems such as compulsive gambling, increased sexual urges, excessive spending, or binge eating
• Signs of melanoma (a type of skin cancer), such as a new or changing mole
• Allergic reaction with swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, or difficulty breathing
• Severe stomach bleeding, shown as black stools or vomiting blood
• A rare but serious reaction with muscle stiffness, high fever, and confusion, especially if the medicine is stopped suddenly

Warnings and precautions

• Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to carbidopa or levodopa, have narrow-angle glaucoma, have recently taken certain antidepressant medicines called MAO inhibitors, or have a suspicious skin lesion or history of melanoma.
• Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or lower the dose without your doctor's advice, since this can cause serious problems including stiff muscles, high fever, and mental changes.
• This medicine can cause sudden sleep episodes without warning signs, which can be dangerous during activities like driving.
• People with Parkinson's disease have a higher risk of developing melanoma, a type of skin cancer, so regular skin checks are recommended while using this medicine.
• This medicine may cause new or worsening impulse control problems such as compulsive gambling, increased sexual urges, or binge eating.
• It is not known if this medicine is safe to use during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, so they can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding because one of its ingredients passes into breast milk and the effects on a nursing baby are not known.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before taking this medicine, as it should not be used in people with untreated kidney disease.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver problems before taking this medicine, as it should not be used in people with untreated liver disease.
• Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine may worsen dizziness, slow breathing, and slowed thinking, so talk to your doctor about whether it is safe for you to drink.
• This medicine can cause drowsiness or sudden episodes of falling asleep without warning, so be careful driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you.

Storage

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place
• Protect from light and moisture
• Keep out of reach of children
• Do not use after the expiry date
• Keep tablets in their original container/bottle until it is time to take them

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, hives, or difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Seek urgent medical attention if you have chest pain, a fast or irregular heartbeat, or palpitations.
• Get medical help immediately if you notice signs of stomach bleeding, such as black or bloody stools, or vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
• Contact your doctor right away if you develop muscle stiffness along with a high fever, or sudden confusion, hallucinations, or severe mood changes.
• Seek help right away if you or your family notice new or worsening moles or skin spots that could be a sign of melanoma.
• If you think you or someone else has taken too much of this medicine, contact your doctor or poison control right away, or go to the emergency department, even without symptoms.

Alternatives

• Rytary
• Pramipexole
• Rasagiline