Stalevo 100

Stalevo 100 is a drug containing a combination of carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called shaking palsy. Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).

Dopamine is a naturally occurring substance in the brain that helps provide control of movement and activities such as walking and talking. In patients with Parkinson's disease, there is not enough dopamine in some parts of the brain. Levodopa enters the brain and helps replace the missing dopamine, which allows people to function better. By increasing the amount of dopamine in the brain, evodopa helps control symptoms and helps you to perform daily activities such as dressing, walking, and handling utensils.

Stalevo 100 is a combination of three different medicines. This medicine is known as a Levodopa therapy. The difference between this medicine and other levodopa treatments is that Stalevo 100 contains entacapone. Entacapone helps levodopa last longer by blocking a substance called COMT enzyme. This enzyme breaks down Levodopa before it reaches the brain. When less levodopa is broken down, more is available to the brain. Increased availability of levodopa may lead to smoother and steadier levels of dopamine in the brain, which may provide better symptom control for longer periods each day. This may lead to improvement in daily activities in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Stalevo 100 are tablets that you take by mouth. Each Stalevo 100 tablet contains 31.25 mg of Carbidopa, 150 mg of Levodopa, and 200 mg Entacapone.

Stalevo 100 requires a prescription.

Stalevo 100 must be used only with doctor’s supervision. Stalevo 100 may interact with certain drugs or conditions to cause serious side effects. 

The doctor will consider the following before prescribing Stalevo 100.

Use of MAO inhibitors

You cannot take Stalevo 100 if you are taking MAO inhibitor drugs such as Furazolidone, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, or Tranylcypromine during the past 14 days. Make sure to tell the doctor all the medicines you take before starting to use Stalevo 100.

Allergies

You cannot take Stalevo 100 if you are allergic to it, or have allergies to drugs such as Carbidopa, Levodopa, or Entacapone.

Health conditions

Make sure to tell the doctor all your health problems before starting on Stalevo 100. You cannot take Stalevo 100 if you have the following medical conditions:

• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Unusual skin lesions
• History of skin cancer

If you have the following health problems, tell them to the doctor since these require adjustment of dose of Stalevo 100:

• Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease, irregular heart rhythm, or history of heart attack
• High blood pressure or hypertension
• Breathing conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or sleep apnea
• Any disease caused by abnormal hormones, such as diabetes (1 or 2), goiter, thyroid diseases, problems in the ovaries or testes
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease, or obstruction of the bile duct
• Glaucoma
• Depression or other mental illnesses

Intense urges and hallucinations

Stalevo 100 may cause unusual mental changes. Patients taking Stalevo 100 may experience intense urges, including urges to have sex, gamble, or do other activities. Stalevo 100 also cause intense hallucinations. Go to your doctor if you experience these symptoms.

Risk of melanoma

Some patients taking drugs for Parkinson’s disease, like Stalevo 100, have developed a type of skin cancer called melanoma. Melanoma is an aggressive type of skin cancer, but is easily detected and highly treatable at early stages. Discuss to your doctor about the risk of melanoma while taking Stalevo 100.

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, tell it to your doctor before taking Stalevo 100. Stalevo 100 is an FDA pregnancy category C drug, which means it is harmful to the unborn baby when given to pregnant patients.

Breastfeeding

Do not breastfeed when taking Stalevo 100. Stalevo 100 may be expressed into breastmilk and cause harm.

Food restrictions

Food rich in iron and protein may interfere with absorption of Stalevo 100. Reduce intake of protein-rich food such as meat, eggs, or cheese. Do not take iron supplements.

Drug interactions

Stalevo 100 can interact with certain drugs and cause undesirable effects. If you use the following medicines, tell them to your doctor before using Stalevo 100:

• Drugs for hypertension
• Antidepressants
• Metoclopramide
• Drugs for treating mental illnesses
• Papaverine
• Iron supplements or iron salts
• Drugs that interfere with bile production such as Probenecid, Cholestyramine, and some antibiotics such as Erythromycin, Rifampicin, Ampicillin, and Chloramphenicol.
• Coumadin

The doctor will determine your dose of Stalevo 100. Take Stalevo 100 as prescribed by the doctor, and do not take more or less. It is important to take Stalevo 100 regularly as prescribed to keep steady amounts in the body.

Take Stalevo 100 with or without food. Swallow Stalevo 100 tablets whole, and do not crush, or divide tablets. Make sure to drink plenty of liquids throughout the day.

It can take few weeks for Stalevo 100 to work. If few weeks has passed (2 or 3) and you do not experience improvements, call the doctor.

Take Stalevo 100 regularly and do not discontinue without doctor’s approval.

If you missed a dose of Stalevo 100, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to original dosing schedule. Do not take more Stalevo 100 to make up for the missed dose.

Taking too many Stalevo 100 tablets can cause an overdose. If this happens, call emergency medical services right away.

Store Stalevo 100 at room temperature away from heat and moisture.

You must frequently be seen by the doctor when taking Stalevo 100. Make sure to keep up with clinic appointments and lab tests.

Stalevo 100 may cause changes to thinking or reaction times. Do not drive or perform dangerous tasks right after taking the drug.

You may become dizzy after arising from sleeping or sitting. Do Avoid this by rising up gradually, and make sure to steady yourself. If you become dizzy, ease yourself to the floor and call for help.

Be patient when starting treatment with Stalevo 100. It can take up to few weeks for it to cause an effect. Keep taking Stalevo 100 as directed. Call your doctor if few weeks has already passed and you still do not feel its effects, or if its effects seem to wear off quickly.

Do not stop use of Stalevo 100 without doctor’s approval Doing so can trigger withdrawal symptoms. Doctors usually discontinue Stalevo 100 by gradually tapering the dose.

Stalevo 100 may make you more vulnerable to dehydration. Make sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day while taking Stalevo 100. Call your doctor right away if you experience vomiting, have diarrhea, or sweating more than usual.

Note that your lab tests may be different when you take Stalevo 100. Make sure to tell your healthcare provider you are taking the drug.

If you are taking Stalevo 100, do not take any other medication or supplement without your doctor’s advice.

Stalevo 100 may cause severe side effects that require medical attention. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Severe allergic reaction symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, throat, lips, or tongue
• Worsening of symptoms such as losing weight, increased urination, tremors, uncontrollable movements of the eyes, lips, tongue, or face, arms, and legs.
• Hot and dry skin, increased thirst, inability to urinate, and heavy sweating
• Lightheadedness, nausea, and sweating, especially when first taking the drug
• Having depression
• Confusion
• Unusual thoughts of harming yourself
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats
• Chest pain, feeling of heaviness or illness, and pain that spreads to the arm or shoulder
• Chest tightness, new or worsening cough, fever, and trouble breathing
• Easy bruising or bleeding, passing out bloody or tarry stools, or coughing up blood
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Unexplained muscle pain and weakness

Stalevo 100 may cause minor side effects that pose no threat to health:

• Stomach upset
• Losing appetite
• Constipation
• Dryness of the mouth
• Unusual changes to taste
• Mild rash or itching
• Dizziness or drowsiness
• Headache
• Blurring of vision,
• Muscle cramps or back pain
• Agitation or anxiety
• Insomnia
• Having strange dreams
• Reddish, brownish, or even black discoloration of sweat, urine, saliva or tears, which may stain bed sheets or clothing