Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone

Carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone is a prescription drug licensed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. It contains three different medications:, one that is the "real" drug used to treat Parkinson's and two that are used to help it work better and longer. Carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone comes in tablet form and is generally taken three or four times daily. Potential side effects include nausea, diarrhea, and urine discoloration.

What Is Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone?

Carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone (Stalevo®) is a prescription medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. It contains three different medications and is approved for use in the following situations:
 
  • To substitute for carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet®) plus entacapone (Comtan®) in people already taking these medications
 
  • To replace carbidopa-levodopa in people experiencing "wearing-off" symptoms (when the medication stops working before the next dose) who take 600 mg of levodopa per day or less and who are not experiencing dyskinesia (a movement disorder that is a side effect of carbidopa-levodopa).
     
(Click What Is Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone Side Effects

As with any medicine, side effects are possible with carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone. Most people tolerate it relatively well at first, especially if the dose is increased slowly. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. As time goes by, it is common for more bothersome and serious side effects of carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone to occur.
 
Common side effects of carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone include but are not limited to:
 
  • Involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Urine discoloration
  • Dizziness.
     
(Click Side Effects of Carbidopa-Levodopa-Entacapone to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

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