Sinemet CR
= Prescription Required 
= Generic Equvalent
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Sinemet CR 100/25mg Tablets (Sustained-Release)
Carbidopa, Levodopa (Sustained-Release)
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Generic equivalents for Sinemet CR...
We also carry these generic equivalents of Sinemet CR to help save you money.
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Carbidopa, Levodopa (Sustained-Release) 200/50mg Tablets (Sustained-Release)
Manufactured by Sun Pharma
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Sinemet CR Prescription Drug Information
Carbidopa/Levodopa (By mouth)
Carbidopa (kar-bi-DOE-pa), Levodopa (lee-voe-DOE-pa)
Treats symptoms of Parkinson's disease and parkinsonism, such as shaking, stiffness, and slow movement.
Brand Name(s):Parcopa, Sinemet 10-100, Sinemet 25-100, Sinemet 25-250, Sinemet CR
There may be other brand names for Sinemet CR.
When Sinemet CR Should Not Be Used:
You should not use Sinemet CR if you have had an allergic reaction to levodopa or carbidopa, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma (high pressure in your eyes). You should not use Sinemet CR if you have melanoma (skin cancer), or if you have had melanoma in the past. Do not use Sinemet CR if you have used an MAO inhibitor (MAOI) such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate® within the past 14 days.
How to Use Sinemet CR:
Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet
- Your doctor will tell you how much of Sinemet CR to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
- Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
- If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.
If a dose of Sinemet CR is missed:
- If you miss a dose, or forget to take your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If the time for your next dose is less than 2 hours away, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of Sinemet CR:
- Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
- Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
- Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid While Taking Sinemet CR:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other Parkinson medicines, such as levodopa, or if you have used one recently.
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using haloperidol (Haldol®), isoniazid (Nydrazid®), metoclopramide (Reglan®), papaverine (Pavabid®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), or risperidone (Risperdal®). Tell your doctor if you are also using medicine to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®) or a phenothiazine medicine (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Phenergan®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®).
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using medicine to lower your blood pressure (such as atenolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lisinopril, metoprolol, quinapril, Accupril®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Toprol®, or Zestril®).
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using any mineral supplements or multivitamins with iron. Eating high-protein foods, such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, beans, or milk, while you are using Sinemet CR may cause it not to work as well. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
Warnings While Using Sinemet CR:
- Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney problems, liver problems, heart or blood vessel problems, heart rhythm problems, lung or breathing problems (such as asthma), endocrine problems (such as diabetes, thyroid problems, or growth problems), severe mental illness, dyskinesia (trouble controlling your muscles), or a history of heart attack. Tell your doctor if you have wide-angle glaucoma, or a history of stomach ulcer or neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
- When you first start using Sinemet CR or if your dose is increased, you might feel dizzy, lightheaded, hot, or sick to your stomach if you stand up quickly. Get up slowly to give your body some time to adjust, especially if you have been sitting or lying down for a long time.
- Sinemet CR contains phenylalanine. Make sure your doctor knows if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Do not stop using Sinemet CR suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
- Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using Sinemet CR. Your doctor may also need to check your skin regularly. Be sure to keep all appointments.
- Sinemet CR may make you dizzy, drowsy, or less alert. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. To avoid dizziness from Sinemet CR, stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position.
- You may experience a "wearing-off" effect towards the end of the dosing interval. Tell your doctor if you have problems with this that affect your every day life. Your doctor may want to adjust your dose.
- A dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in your saliva, urine, or sweat after taking Sinemet CR. The color may cause some of your clothes to become discolored.
- Some patients who have used Sinemet CR had unusual changes in their behavior, such as having problems with gambling or an increased sex drive. Talk with your doctor if this is a concern for you.
- Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using Sinemet CR. Sinemet CR may affect the results of certain medical tests.
Possible Side Effects While Using Sinemet CR:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
- Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
- Change in how much or how often you urinate.
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, or fast or uneven heartbeat.
- Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
- Feeling unusually sad, suicidal thoughts (wanting to hurt yourself).
- Fever, sweating, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or muscle stiffness.
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting when getting up from lying or sitting position.
- Numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
- Seizures.
- Severe nausea or vomiting.
- Uncontrolled or jerky body movement, or eyelid twitch.
- Unusual behavior, mood changes, or seeing or hearing things that are not there.
- Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
If you notice these less serious side effects while taking Sinemet CR, talk with your doctor:
- Back pain or shoulder pain.
- Blurred vision.
- Changes in sexual desire.
- Constipation, diarrhea, mild nausea or vomiting, loss of appetite, or stomach pain.
- Dry mouth, or bad or unpleasant taste.
- Feeling unusually confused, nervous, or upset.
- Hair loss.
- Headache.
- Pink or red colored urine, dark colored sweat or saliva, or heavy sweating.
- Skin rash.
- Trouble sleeping, sleeping too much, or nightmares.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by Sinemet CR, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
