Has your doctor prescribed this medicine for you or someone in your family, maybe your mother or father, for Parkinson's disease? The name may seem a bit complicated. But don't worry. Today we will talk about this medicine called Carbidopa; Levodopa, that is, the medicine that often comes under names like SINEMET in our country, everything is very simple and easy for you to understand.
What kind of medicine is this?
Simply put, this is a medication that is given to control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease is a condition that affects the cells in our brain that control movement. This disease causes symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow walking.
So what this medicine does is increase the amount of a chemical messenger called dopamine that is naturally present in our brain. Dopamine is something that helps our body move and coordinate properly. When you take this medicine, the level of dopamine in the brain increases, and the symptoms of Parkinson's are greatly reduced.
Sometimes doctors may prescribe this medicine for other medical conditions as well. So always follow your doctor's instructions.
Things to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before deciding if this medication is right for you, your doctor will need to know your complete health history. Be sure to tell them about any of the following conditions, especially if you have any:
| Your health condition | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Depression or other mental illnesses | This medicine can alter some mental states. |
| Diabetes | The medication may affect blood sugar levels. |
| Glaucoma (increased eye pressure) | Because it can affect eye pressure. |
| Heart disease, a history of heart attack, or irregular heartbeat | Heart rate or blood pressure may be affected. |
| Kidney or liver disease | The dosage may need to be changed because it affects the elimination of the medication from the body. |
| Lung diseases such as asthma | Because it can affect the respiratory system. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding | To consider the possible effects on the baby. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods, or substances | To prevent an allergic reaction to the medicine. |
How should I use the medicine?
It is very important to take the correct dosage, at the correct time, as prescribed by the doctor.
- Take this medicine with a glass of water.
- Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush or chew it. However, some types of tablets (CR - Controlled Release) can be broken in half. Ask your doctor about this.
- Try to take your medicine on time, at about the same time every day.
- Never stop taking your medication without your doctor's advice. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious side effects.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with others.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
It is important to pay attention to changes in your body while taking this medication.
Drowsiness and dizziness
This medicine may make you feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are an elderly person, stand up slowly when you get up from a sitting position or out of bed. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling. Drinking alcohol can increase this effect, so avoid alcohol completely.
Falling asleep suddenly
Sometimes, you may suddenly fall asleep without any warning. This can happen while driving, talking, or eating. If this happens to you, it can be very dangerous. So tell your doctor right away.
Abnormal impulses
Some people taking this medication may experience extreme impulsive behaviors, such as gambling, sexual activity, and spending money unnecessarily. If this is not your normal behavior, don't be embarrassed and tell your doctor as soon as possible.
"Wearing-off" and "On-Off" effect
This is a little difficult to understand, but very important.
- "Wearing-off" effect: Imagine, a few hours before your next dose, the effect of the medication wears off. The tremors and stiffness return. This is called 'wearing-off'.
- "On-off" effect: This is when the drug suddenly stops working and then starts working again after a few minutes or hours.
If these things happen, tell your doctor. He or she can change the dosage or timing of your medication.
Take care of your diet.
Foods high in protein (e.g. meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts) may reduce the absorption of this medicine. Therefore:
- Avoid eating protein-rich foods close to the time you take the medication.
- It is best to take the medicine 30 minutes before or one hour after eating .
- Talk to your doctor about your diet and get advice.
Possible side effects of this medicine
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. Some are serious, some are common.
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, trouble breathing. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Mental and behavioral changes | Anxiety, restlessness, hallucinations, suicidal thoughts, increased depression. |
| Uncontrollable movements | New or increasing uncontrolled movements of the face, mouth, or upper body. |
| Stomach bleeding | Black or bloody stools, a substance that looks like coffee grounds, or vomiting blood. |
| Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (but should be reported if they persist) | |
| The color of saliva, sweat, or urine | Turning dark red or black (this is harmless, but may stain clothes). |
| Dizziness and drowsiness | These may decrease as the body gets used to the medication. |
| Headache and nausea | These can sometimes be controlled by taking the medicine with food. |
Other things that may interact with this medicine
Other medications you are taking can affect the way this medicine works. So tell your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, supplements, and traditional medicines you are taking. Be especially careful about the following:
- MAOIs (medicines for depression)
- Iron supplements or vitamins
- Medication for high blood pressure
- Sleeping pills
- Alcohol
Take-Home Message
- Carbidopa; Levodopa is a medication that increases dopamine levels in the brain to control the symptoms of Parkinson's.
- Unless specifically instructed to do so by your doctor, do not crush or chew the tablet. Swallow it whole.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you take.
- Be aware of serious side effects such as sudden sleepiness, unusual impulsive behavior, and mental changes. If this happens, inform your doctor immediately.
- Keep a gap between protein-rich meals and medication intake. Consult your doctor about this.
- Never stop taking medication or change the dosage without medical advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න