Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone (Cont.)

When and How to Take Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone

General considerations for when and how to take carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth usually three or four times a day (or however frequently you were taking carbidopa-levodopa).
     
  • The protein in food can decrease the absorption of carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone into the body. Some healthcare providers recommended taking the medication on an empty stomach or with a low-protein diet. Officially, the manufacturer states that carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone can be taken with or without food.
     
  • Make sure to take carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone at the same times each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone will not work if you stop taking it. Do not stop taking the drug suddenly without first talking to your healthcare provider.
     

Dosing Information for Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone

The dose of carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your current carbidopa-levodopa dose
  • How you respond to carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone (especially if you develop bothersome side effects)
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone Dosage for more information.)
 
(Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone Continued: Page 5)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;