Sinemet vs. Stalevo

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

Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) and Stalevo (carbidopa, levodopa, and entacapone) are combination drugs used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control.

Sinemet is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Sinemet is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid, while Stalevo combines an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid with a COMT inhibitor.

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.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects including:

• 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 Stalevo include:

• diarrhea,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• headache,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• stomach pain or upset,
• loss of appetite,
• constipation,
• dry mouth,
• changes in your sense of taste,
• skin rash or itching,
• unusual skin changes,
• muscle cramps,
• back pain,
• agitation,
• anxiety,
• difficulty sleeping (insomnia), or
• strange dreams.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Stalevo including:

• involuntary movements (especially twitching of the eyelid),
• fainting or falling,
• difficulty swallowing,
• stomach/abdominal pain,
• persistent diarrhea,
• vision changes (including blurred vision),
• black/tarry stools,
• muscle pain,
• changes in the amount of urine,
• mental/mood changes (such as confusion, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide),
• signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat), or
• unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges).

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.

Sinemet is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Stalevo (carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone) is a combination of several medications used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. Levodopa is converted to a chemical called dopamine in the brain. Symptoms of Parkinson's disease may be caused by low levels dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect. When used with carbidopa and levodopa, entacapone increases levels of levodopa in the body.

 

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.

Stalevo may interact with other Parkinson's medications, metoclopramide, isoniazid, phenytoin, papaverine, blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Stalevo may also interact with cholestyramine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, methyldopa, papaverine, antibiotics, cold or allergy medicine, narcotics, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, medicine for seizures, or anti-anxiety medications.

 

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.

The optimum daily dosage of Stalevo must be determined for each patient. Therapy should be individualized and adjusted according to the desired therapeutic response.