Parcopa (Oral)

Generic name:carbidopa and levodopa (oral route) [ kar-bi-DOE-pa, lee-voe-DOE-pa ]
Drug class:Dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 28, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Parcopa
• Rytary
• Sinemet 10-100
• Sinemet 25-100
• Sinemet 25-250
• Sinemet CR

In Canada

• Sinemet 100/10
• Sinemet 100/25
• Sinemet 250/25
• Sinemet CR 100/25
• Sinemet CR 200/50

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release
• Tablet
• Capsule, Extended Release
• Tablet, Disintegrating

Therapeutic Class: Antiparkinsonian

Pharmacologic Class: Decarboxylase Inhibitor

Uses for Parcopa

Carbidopa and levodopa combination 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).

Extended-release carbidopa and levodopa (Rytary®) 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.

Before using Parcopa

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

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

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

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 rel...