Carbidopa and Levodopa Extended-Release Capsules

• If you have an allergy to levodopa, carbidopa, or any other part of this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules).
• If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• If you have any of these health problems: Glaucoma, a skin lump or growth, or a history of skin cancer.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Reserpine or tetrabenazine.
• If you have taken certain drugs used for low mood (depression) like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine or drugs used for Parkinson's disease like selegiline or rasagiline in the last 14 days. Taking this medicine within 14 days of those drugs can cause very bad high blood pressure.
• If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules).

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this medicine with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

Use this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew or crush.
• If you cannot swallow this medicine whole, you may sprinkle the contents on applesauce. If you do this, swallow the mixture right away without chewing.
• If you take an iron product or a multivitamin that has iron, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules). Iron may lower how well your body is able to absorb this medicine.
• Diets high in protein, fat, or calories may lower how well your body absorbs this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules); tell your doctor if you have a diet like this or if you will be changing your diet. Talk with your doctor.
• Do not stop taking this medicine all of a sudden or lower your dose without calling your doctor. Side effects may happen. Talk with your doctor.
• Take even during sign-free periods.
• Keep a diary of your signs.
• Keep taking this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules) as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• Take this medicine at the same time of day.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Protect from light.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules). It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine (carbidopa and levodopa extended-release capsules).

Review Date: October 4, 2017