Nourianz vs. Rytary

• Are Nourianz and Rytary the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Nourianz?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Rytary?
• What Is Nourianz?
• What Is Rytary?
• What Drugs Interact with Nourianz?
• What Drugs Interact with Rytary?
• How Should Nourianz Be Taken?
• How Should Rytary Be Taken?

Nourianz (istradefylline) and Rytary (carbidopa and levodopa) are used to treat different aspects of Parkinson's disease.

Nourianz is indicated as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in adult patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing "off" episodes.

Rytary is used to treat Parkinson's disease, post-encephalitic Parkinsonism, and Parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication.

Nourianz and Rytary belong to different drug classes. Nourianz is an adenosine receptor antagonist and Rytary is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid.

Side effects of Nourianz and Rytary that are similar include involuntary muscle movements, dizziness, constipation, nausea, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Nourianz that are different from Rytary include hallucinations.

Side effects of Rytary that are different from Nourianz include headache, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, anxiety, vomiting, and low blood pressure and dizziness upon standing.

Nourianz may interact with itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, rifampin, St. John's wort, midazolam, atorvastatin, seizure medications, and digoxin.

Rytary may interact with MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide, isoniazid, iron salts, or multi-vitamins containing iron salts.

Common side effects of Nourianz include:

• involuntary muscle movements,
• dizziness,
• constipation,
• nausea,
• hallucinations, and
• insomnia

Common side effects of Rytary include:

• nausea,
• dizziness,
• headache,
• insomnia,
• abnormal dreams,
• dry mouth,
• involuntary movements,
• anxiety,
• constipation,
• vomiting, and
• low blood pressure and dizziness upon standing (orthostatic hypotension)

Nourianz (istradefylline) is an adenosine receptor antagonist indicated as adjunctive treatment to levodopa/carbidopa in adult patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) experiencing "off" episodes.

Rytary (carbidopa and levodopa) is a combination an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid, used for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, post-encephalitic Parkinsonism, and Parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication.

Nourianz may interact with itraconazole, ketoconazole, clarithromycin, carbamazepine, rifampin, phenytoin, St. John's wort, midazolam, atorvastatin, and digoxin. Nourianz is not recommended for use during pregnancy; it may harm a fetus. Women of childbearing potential are advised to use contraception during treatment with Nourianz. It is unknown if Nourianz passes into breast milk or how it would affect a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Rytary may interact with MAO inhibitors, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide, isoniazid, iron salts, or multi-vitamins containing iron salts. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. During pregnancy, Rytary should be used only if prescribed. These drugs may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

The recommended dosage of Nourianz is 20 mg orally once daily. The dosage may be increased to a maximum of 40 mg once daily.

The recommended starting dosage of Rytary is 23.75 mg/95 mg taken orally three times a day for the first 3 days. On the fourth day of treatment, the dosage of Rytary may be increased to 36.25 mg/145 mg taken three times a day.