Sinemet vs. Parcopa

• Are Sinemet and Parcopa the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Sinemet? (Side effects)
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Parcopa? (Side effects)
• What is Sinemet? (Uses)
• What is Parcopa? (Uses)
• What Drugs Interact with Sinemet? (Interactions)
• What Drugs Interact with Parcopa? (Interactions)
• How Should Sinemet Be Taken? (Dosage)
• How Should Parcopa Be Taken? (Dosage)

Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) and Parcopa (carbidopa and levodopa) are combinations of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. Sinemet and Parcopa are also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

A difference is that Parcopa is an extended-release version of carbidopa and levodopa.

The brand name Parcopa is discontinued, but generic versions may be available.

Common side effects of Sinemet include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dry mouth,
• loss of appetite,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• sneezing,
• stuffy nose,
• cough,
• other cold symptoms,
• muscle pain,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia or strange dreams),
• skin rash,
• itching,
• and headache.

• greatly increased eye blinking/twitching,
• fainting,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide),
• unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges),
• or worsening of involuntary movements/spasms.

Common side effects of Parcopa include:

• involuntary muscle movements,
• nausea,
• hallucinations,
• confusion,
• dizziness,
• depression,
• urinary tract infection,
• headache,
• abnormal dreams,
• muscle spasms,
• vomiting,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• shortness of breath,
• “on-off” phenomena (switch between mobility and immobility),
• back pain,
• dry mouth,
• loss of appetite,
• diarrhea,
• insomnia,
• dizziness upon standing,
• shoulder pain,
• chest pain,
• numbness and tingling,
• urinary frequency,
• indigestion, and
• constipation.

Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as

• muscle stiffness,
• tremors,
• spasms,
• and poor muscle control.

Parcopa (carbidopa and levodopa) extended release tablet is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid indicated in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, postencephalitic parkinsonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication.

Sinemet may interact with metoclopramide, isoniazid, phenytoin, papaverine, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications.

Sinemet may also interact with other Parkinson's medications or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Parcopa may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, reserpine, tetrabenazine, or iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts.

Starting dosage is one tablet of Sinemet 25-100 (carbidopa-levodopa) three times a day. Dosage may be increased by one tablet every day or every other day, as necessary, until a dosage of eight tablets a day is reached.

Parcopa extended-release tablets contain carbidopa and levodopa in a 1:4 ratio as either the 50 mg/200 mg tablet or the 25 mg/100 mg tablet. The daily dosage of must be determined by careful titration.