Levomed

Levodopa 100 mg, carbidopa 25 mg

Treatment of Parkinson's disease & syndrome. Useful in relieving many of the symptoms of parkinsonism, particularly rigidity & bradykinesia. Management of tremor, dysphagia, sialorrhea & postural instability associated w/ Parkinson's disease & syndrome.

Individualised dosage.

Should be taken on an empty stomach: Take on an empty stomach if possible. If GI distress occurs, take w/ meals.

Hypersensitivity. Narrow-angle glaucoma. Patients w/ suspicious undiagnosed skin lesions or a history of melanoma. Concomitant use w/ MAOIs.

In patients already receiving levodopa alone, discontinue levodopa at least 12 hr before starting Levomed. Substitute Levomed at a dosage that will provide approx 20% of the previous levodopa dose. Not recommended for the treatment of drug-induced extrapyramidal reactions. Administer cautiously to patients w/ severe CV or pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, renal, hepatic or endocrine disease; current psychoses; history of convulsions; chronic wide-angle glaucoma; history of MI w/ atrial, nodal, or ventricular arrhythmia. Carefully monitor patients for development of mental changes, depression w/ suicidal tendencies, or other serious antisocial behaviour. Patients w/ history of severe involuntary movements or psychotic episodes when treated w/ levodopa alone should be observed carefully when Levomed is substituted. Reports of symptomatic postural hypotension. Risk of upper GI hemorrhage in patients w/ history of peptic ulcer. Positive Coombs' tests. Concomitant administration of psychoactive drugs eg, phenothiazines & butyrophenones; phenytoin, papaverine. Pregnancy & lactation. Childn <18 yr.

Choreiform, dystonic & other involuntary movements, muscle twitching, blepharospasm, paranoid ideation, psychotic episodes; depression w/ or w/o development of suicidal tendencies, dementia, convulsions, cardiac irregularities &/or palpitations, orthostatic hypotensive episodes, bradykinetic episodes, anorexia, nausea, vomiting & dizziness.

Discontinue MAOIs at least 2 wk prior to treatment initiation. Loss of antiparkinsonian effect w/ psychoactive drugs eg, phenothiazines & butyrophenones. Reversed beneficial effects w/ phenytoin, papaverine. Increased risk of symptomatic postural hypotension w/ antihypertensive drugs.

Antiparkinsonian Drugs

N04BA02 - levodopa and decarboxylase inhibitor ; Belongs to the class of dopa and dopa derivative dopaminergic agents. Used in the management of Parkinson's disease.

P₁S₁S₃