Parcopa is used to treat Parkinson's disease, sometimes called shaking Palsy or Paralysis agitans. Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord).
Parcopa is also used to treat Parkinsonism caused by Encephalitis, or Parkinsonism caused by Carbon monoxide or Manganese poisoning.
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, Levodopa helps control symptoms and helps you to perform daily activities such as dressing, walking, and handling utensils.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric Population:
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of Levodopa and Carbidopa combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric Population:
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of Rytary® in the elderly.
Although appropriate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of Lodosyn® have not been performed in the geriatric population, geriatric-specific problems are not expected to limit the usefulness of Lodosyn® in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney, liver, or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving Lodosyn®.
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of Carbidopa and Levodopa combination in geriatric patients.
Pregnancy
All Trimesters: Category C: Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Bupropion
Isoniazid
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
High Protein Food
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Skin lesions, undiagnosed (rashes that involve changes in color or texture of the skin)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions
Phenylketonuria (PKU)—The orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine, which can make this condition worse
3 Proper Usage
Proper usage of Parcopa requires strict adherence to your doctor’s orders. It is important that you do not stop taking your medicine unless ordered by your doctor. It is also important to not start taking other medicines for your Parkinson's disease without first talking with your doctor.
You may experience a “wearing-off” effect towards the end of the dosing interval. You should tell your doctor if you have problems with this that affect your everyday life. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose.
Diet:
Since protein may interfere with the body's response to Carbidopa and Levodopa, high protein diets should be avoided. Intake of normal amounts of protein should be spaced equally throughout the day, or taken as directed by your doctor.
Multivitamins:
If you are taking multivitamin tablets or plan to start taking them, discuss this first with your doctor. Iron salts (in vitamins) may keep this medicine from working properly.
General Instructions:
Sinemet® tablet or Parcopa® disintegrating tablet begins to release its ingredients 30 minutes after you take it.
Swallow the extended-release capsule or sustained release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
If you have trouble swallowing the extended-release capsules: The capsules can be opened and the contents can be sprinkled on 1 to 2 tablespoons of applesauce. This mixture must be swallowed immediately without chewing.
If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not remove the tablet from the bottle until you are ready to take it. Place the tablet on the top of your tongue, where it will melt quickly.
Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For Parkinson's disease:
For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
Adults—
For patients starting carbidopa and levodopa treatment: At first, one capsule three times a day for the first 3 days. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 capsules per day.
For patients taking carbidopa and levodopa already: At first, 3 or 4 capsules three times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 10 capsules per day.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (disintegrating tablets):
Adults—
For patients starting on carbidopa and levodopa treatment: At first, one tablet three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 tablets per day.
For patients taking levodopa already: Levodopa should be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Parcopa®. The starting dose is one tablet three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 8 tablets per day.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (sustained-release tablets):
Adults—
For patients switching from Sinemet® to Sinemet® CR: The starting dose is based on the amount of Sinemet® you are currently taking per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
For patients taking levodopa already: Levodopa should be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Sinemet® CR. The starting dose is one tablet two times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
For patients not taking levodopa: At first, one tablet two times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For oral dosage form (tablets):
Adults—
For patients starting on carbidopa and levodopa treatment: At first, one tablet three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
For patients taking levodopa already: Levodopa should be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Lodosyn® plus levodopa or Sinemet®. The starting dose is one tablet three or four times a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
For patients taking carbidopa and levodopa already: 25 milligrams (mg) of Lodosyn® per day. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 200 mg per day.
Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
4 Precautions to Take
Before using Parcopa, there are some precautions you must take. It is very important that your doctor checks your progress at regular visits to allow changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.
Do not take this medicine if you have taken a Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine, Nardil®, Parnate®) in the past 2 weeks.
Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely.
Check with your doctor right away if you are having convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsy, trouble in controlling movements, or trouble in concentrating or seeing clearly. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.
It is important that your doctor checks your skin regularly for signs of a skin cancer called Melanoma. If you notice any unusual red, brown, or black spots on your skin, talk to your doctor right away.
If you develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while receiving this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.
It is possible that a dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in saliva, urine, or sweat after taking this medicine. The color may cause some of your garments to become discolored. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
It is possible that you may become nauseous, especially when you are first starting your medicine.
Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior. Talk with your doctor right away if you start having problems with gambling or an increased interest in sex while using this medicine.
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.
As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Parcopa. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common:
Twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Less common:
Acid or sour stomach
Back or shoulder pain
Belching
Body aches or pain
Burning, Crawling, Itching, Numbness, Prickling, "Pins and Needles", or Tingling feelings
Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
Seeing double
Skin rash, hives or welts, itching
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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