Living with Parkinson's disease brings daily challenges. Muscle stiffness, tremors, and slow movement can make simple tasks feel exhausting. Your doctor has likely prescribed different medicines to help control these symptoms.
If you already take Carbidopa and Levodopa, your doctor might also prescribe a medicine called Opicapone. This guide explains everything you need to know about Opicapone in simple, everyday language.
Key Takeaways
- Opicapone helps your Levodopa medicine last longer in your brain.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or after eating.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without talking to your doctor first.
- Watch out for sudden sleepiness, unusual urges, or dizziness when standing up.
- Tell your doctor about every medicine, vitamin, or herbal product you take.
Know your body mass index (BMI) and weight classification
What is Opicapone and How Does It Work?
Simply put, Opicapone is a medicine that helps manage Parkinson's symptoms. Doctors do not give it alone. You take it alongside your regular Carbidopa and Levodopa medicine.
Your brain has a vital chemical called dopamine that helps control body movements. Parkinson's disease lowers the amount of dopamine in your brain. Levodopa enters your body and turns into dopamine, but your body breaks down that dopamine very quickly.
This is where Opicapone helps. It blocks the enzyme that breaks down dopamine so the chemical stays in your brain longer. Think of it like plugging a hole in a bucket so the water stays inside. Because of this, your stiffness and tremors are controlled much better throughout the day.
Things to Tell Your Doctor Before Starting This Medicine
Opicapone is safe for many people, but certain health conditions can cause problems. Because of this, sharing your complete medical history with your doctor is extremely important.
| Health Condition or Habit | Why Your Doctor Needs to Know |
|---|---|
| If you drink alcohol regularly | Alcohol can make side effects like dizziness and sleepiness much worse. |
| Kidney or liver disease | Your body clears medicine through these organs. If they are weak, your doctor may need to change your dose. |
| Low blood pressure | This medicine can sometimes lower your blood pressure further. |
| Sleep disorders (like narcolepsy or sleep apnea) | The medicine can increase your risk of sudden daytime sleepiness. |
| Mental health conditions (like schizophrenia) | Certain mental health symptoms can change while taking this medicine. |
| Allergies to Opicapone or other medicines | This prevents dangerous allergic reactions. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Your doctor must ensure the medicine is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. |
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View Clinical Details →How to Use This Medicine Correctly
Getting the best results from your medicine means following the exact instructions for taking it.
- Drink a full glass of water: Swallow the capsule whole with a full glass of water.
- Take it on an empty stomach: This step is very important. Take your medicine at least one hour before eating or at least one hour after eating. Food stops your body from absorbing the medicine properly. For example, if you eat dinner at 8 PM, take your pill after 9 PM.
- Do not stop on your own: Even if you feel great, never stop taking your medicine without your doctor's advice.
- What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your pill, skip that dose entirely. Take just one pill at the next scheduled time. Never take two pills at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
- If you take too much: If you think you took too many pills, stay calm. Call poison control right away, or go to the nearest emergency department (ER) or hospital.
Your doctor prescribed this medicine just for you. Never share your medicine with anyone else because it could harm them.
Other Medicines That Can Interact With Opicapone
Tell your doctor about every medicine you take. Some medicines react with Opicapone and cause dangerous health issues.
| Never Take With These Medicines (EXTREMELY DANGEROUS) |
|---|
| MAOI medicines: Medicines like Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate used for depression. Taking these with Opicapone can cause your blood pressure to spike to dangerous levels. |
| Other Medicines to Discuss With Your Doctor |
|---|
| Alcohol (increases drowsiness and dizziness). |
| Cold and allergy medicines / antihistamines (can increase sleepiness). |
| Anxiety or sleep medicines (can cause severe sleepiness). |
| Certain antidepressants (like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, or sertraline). |
| Certain seizure medicines (like phenobarbital or primidone). |
| General anesthetics and muscle relaxants used during surgery. Always tell your anesthesiologist about all your medicines. |
| Strong pain medicines / opioids (can cause severe breathing and sleep issues). |
| Emergency hospital medicines like Dobutamine, Dopamine, Epinephrine, or Norepinephrine. |
This list is not complete. Always tell your doctor about all vitamins, herbal remedies, and dietary supplements you take.
Things to Watch Out For While Taking This Medicine
When you take this medicine, you should pay attention to several things to keep yourself safe and healthy.
Sudden Sleepiness
This side effect sounds unusual, but it happens. Some people taking this medicine suddenly fall asleep while doing everyday tasks without any warning signs. Imagine if this happened while driving a car or talking to someone.
- If this happens to you: Tell your doctor right away.
- For safety: Avoid driving, working at heights, or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Uncontrolled Urges
This unusual side effect is also important to know. Some people taking this medicine develop strong urges they cannot control, such as:
- A strong desire to gamble.
- An unusual increase in sexual behavior.
- Eating without control or binge eating.
- Spending money on unnecessary items.
This is not your fault. It can be a side effect of the medicine. If you or your family notice any changes in your behavior, talk to your doctor right away without feeling embarrassed or scared.
Dizziness and Lightheadedness
You might feel dizzy or lightheaded with blurred vision when you stand up from a sitting or lying position. This happens because your blood pressure drops suddenly.
- What to do: Change your body positions slowly. Do not stand up fast; sit on the edge of the bed for a moment before standing.
- Drinking alcohol can make this dizziness much worse.
Do Not Stop Taking This Medicine Suddenly
This rule is very important. Stopping this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice can cause severe reactions like fever, stiff muscles, or confusion. If you need to stop, your doctor will lower your dose slowly over time.
Dry Mouth
Some people get a dry mouth while taking this medicine.
- Ways to cope: Chew sugar-free gum, suck on sugar-free candies, or sip water throughout the day. If your mouth stays very dry, talk to your doctor.
Side Effects You Might Experience
Like all medicines, Opicapone can cause side effects, but not everyone gets them.
| Serious Side Effects (Call Your Doctor Right Away) |
|---|
| Allergic reactions: Skin rash, itching, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, and trouble breathing. |
| Sudden sleepiness: Falling asleep unexpectedly while doing daily tasks. |
| Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that are not there. |
| Low blood pressure: Severe dizziness, feeling faint, or blurred vision. |
| Uncontrolled movements (Dyskinesia): New or worsening uncontrolled movements in your face, mouth, or upper body. |
| Behavioral changes: Uncontrolled urges like gambling or spending money excessively. |
| Common, Less Serious Side Effects (Tell Your Doctor If They Continue) |
|---|
| Constipation |
| Dizziness |
| Dry mouth |
| Trouble sleeping |
When to Call 911 or Emergency Services
Call 911 (US/Canada), 999 (UK), or your local emergency number right away if you experience severe allergic reactions, trouble breathing, sudden chest pain, or sudden confusion. Go to the nearest Emergency Department (ER) or A&E right away.
How to Store and Throw Away Your Medicine Safely
- Storage: Keep your medicine out of the reach of children and pets. Store it at room temperature (below 30 degrees Celsius / 86 degrees Fahrenheit). Never use expired medicines.
- Disposal: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about drug take-back programs in your area. If you cannot return them, take the pills out of their bottle, mix them with used tea leaves, coffee grounds, or dirt, put them in a sealed bag, and throw them in your household trash. Never flush medicine down the toilet.
💡 Take-Home Message
- Opicapone helps manage Parkinson's symptoms when taken along with Carbidopa and Levodopa.
- Always take this medicine on an empty stomach: one hour before or one hour after eating.
- Tell your doctor about all other medicines, vitamins, and herbal products you take.
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's guidance.
- Watch out for sudden sleepiness and uncontrollable urges, and report any changes to your doctor right away.
- If you have any questions or worries about your medicine, talk openly with your doctor or pharmacist.
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