Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa

Orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa is a medication that may help relieve symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease. This prescription medication is also approved to treat Parkinson-like symptoms caused by encephalitis, manganese poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning. Before taking orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa, make sure your healthcare provider is aware of all other medical conditions you have and any other medications you are taking.

 

What Is Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa?

Orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa (Parcopa®) 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. Orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa tablets are designed to dissolve rapidly on the tongue, without any need for water.
 
(Click What Is Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Side Effects of Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa

As with any medicine, orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa can cause side effects. Most people tolerate it relatively well at first, especially if the dose is slowly increased. If side effects do occur, in many cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. As time goes by, it is common for more bothersome and serious side effects of orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa to occur.
 
Common side effects of orally disintegrating carbidopa-levodopa include, but are not limited to:
 
  • Involuntary movements
  • Nausea
  • Hallucinations
  • Confusion.
     
(Click Side Effects of Orally Disintegrating Carbidopa-Levodopa to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that 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;