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Carbidopa-Levodopa
Carbidopa-levodopa is often prescribed to help people who have Parkinson's disease. This prescription medication can also treat Parkinson-like symptoms caused by certain conditions. It is typically taken three or four times a day and comes in tablet form. While most people tolerate the drug well initially, it is common for more bothersome and serious side effects to occur over time.
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Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet®) is a prescription medication used to treat Parkinson's disease. It is also approved to treat parkinsonism (Parkinson-like symptoms) due to encephalitis (inflammation or infection of the brain), manganese poisoning, or carbon monoxide poisoning.
(Click What Is Carbidopa-Levodopa Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
Just like any medicine, carbidopa-levodopa can cause side effects. Most people tolerate it relatively well at first, especially if the dose is slowly increased. If problems do occur, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider. As time goes by, it is common for more bothersome and serious side effects to occur.
Common side effects with this medication include but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Involuntary movements.
(Click Side Effects of Carbidopa-Levodopa to learn more, including potentially serious reactions you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD