Sinemet 25-250

Sinemet general information

What is Sinemet used for?

Sinemet tablets 250/25 are a combination medication used to treat Parkinson's disease, which is neurological disorder, mainly of the elderly, and is one of a group of conditions known as Parkinsonism. Parkinson's disease is known as idiopathic, which means that its cause is cause unknown. Other conditions known as symptomatic Parkinsonism include a neurological group of movement disorders, which produce the same signs and symptoms but that have known causes, including, stroke, side effect of medication, particularly neuroleptic antipsychotics and narcotic overdose. Sinemet tablets are also used to treat Parkinsonism in people who are taking vitamin preparations that contain pyridoxine or Vitamin B6. Sinemet tablets help relieve symptoms of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease, particularly when other medications do not provide adequate or consistent relief. These symptoms include muscle stiffness and bradykinesia (slowness of movement) also other symptoms like, tremor, loss of balance, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and sialorrhoea (drooling).

How does Sinemet work?

Sinemet tablets 250/25 contain a combination of carbidopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor, and levodopa, the metabolic precursor of dopamine. The abnormal movements associated with Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical that allows communication between nerve cells) produced by certain cells in the brain that plays an important role in controlling muscle function and movement. It is important to have the correct levels of dopamine for the muscles to function normally and low levels of dopamine seen in Parkinson's disease are due to the slow and progressive destruction of the nerve cells (neurons) that produce dopamine in a certain area of the brain called the substantia nigra. Levodopa can replace the lack of dopamine due to the action of an enzyme called decarboxylase which converts levodopa to dopamine in the brain where it is needed. Carbidopa, a decarboxylase inhibitor does not cross the blood-brain barrier and therefore cannot interfere with the conversion of levodopa to dopamine in the brain, however, it inhibits the decarboxylation of levodopa in other tissues, making more levodopa available to get into the brain for conversion to dopamine. Levodopa and carbidopa work together to restore dopamine levels in the brain and this can help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism.

What does Sinemet contain?

Sinemet tablets 250/25 contain a combination of the active ingredients levodopa (250mg) and carbidopa (25mg), which are used together to treat Parkinson's disease and Parkinsonism. They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, pregelatinised maize starch and quinolone yellow.

Treating Parkinson's Disease with Sinemet

Sinemet tablets contain a combination of carbidopa and levodopa that are used together to treat Parkinson's disease, which is progressive neurological condition affecting movements such as walking, talking and writing. The abnormal movements associated with Parkinson's disease are caused by a lack of dopamine, a neurotransmitter (chemical that allows communication between nerve cells) produced by certain cells in the brain that plays an important role in controlling muscle function and movement. The low levels of dopamine seen in Parkinson's disease due to the slow and progressive destruction of the nerve cells (neurons) that produce dopamine in a certain area of the brain. Levodopa in Sinemet tablets provides the precursor needed to produce dopamine and carbidopa ensures that sufficient levodopa gets to the brain for conversion to dopamine. The action of Sinemet tablets increases the amount of dopamine in the brain, and this helps the brain control muscle function and restore normal movement, relieving symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including muscle stiffness bradykinesia (slowness of movement), tremor, loss of balance, difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) and sialorrhoea (drooling).

What are the side effects of Sinemet?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Sinemet include: unusual involuntary movement like muscle twitching or spasms (dyskinesias), nausea. Less common side effects include, dizziness, dark saliva, dream abnormalities, sleepiness, sudden sleep onset episodes, slow movements, twitching or spasm of the eyelids, increased libido, compulsive gambling.

When should Sinemet not be used?

You should not use Sinemet tablets 250/25 if you:

• are allergic to carbidopa and levodopa or any ingredients in Sinemet
• are pregnant without discussion with your doctor
• are breastfeeding
• have narrow angle glaucoma
• have suspicious undiagnosed skin lesions or a history of melanoma, as Sinemet may activate malignant melanoma
• have kidney or liver disease; peptic ulcer disease; heart or breathing problems without monitoring
• are taking nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOI) for depression, these must be discontinued at least two weeks prior to taking Sinemet
• are taking medicines that interact with Sinemet, including: antihypertensive medicines, phenytoin for convulsions, isoniazide for tuberculosis, the antipsychotic risperidone, phenothiazine and butyrophenone for psychiatric disorders, iron or iron supplements, other antiparkinson drugs such as selegiline

What medications interact with Sinemet?

Several medications interact with Sinemet tablets 250/25 and should either not be taken while you are taking Sinemet or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Sinemet: nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOI) for depression, antihypertensive medicines, other antiparkinson drugs such as selegiline
• Drugs that affect Sinemet: phenytoin for convulsions, the antipsychotic risperidone, phenothiazine and butyrophenone for psychiatric disorders, iron or iron supplements

How should Sinemet be taken?

You should take your Sinemet tablets 250/25 with a glass of water with or without food, up to 3 times daily, depending on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations. If your doctor recommends a change of dose this will be increased or decreased gradually to reduce risk of withdrawal symptoms or increased side effects. You should take your Sinemet tablets continually for as long as recommended buy your doctor, as it helps control some of your symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but does not cure it. If you on a high protein diet this may reduce the effectiveness of Sinemet.

How long should you take Sinemet?

You should take your Sinemet tablets 250/25 continually for as long as recommended buy your doctor, as it helps control some of your symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but does not cure it.

Missed dose of Sinemet

If you miss a dose of Sinemet tablets 250/25 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Sinemet be stored?

You should store your Sinemet tablets 250/25 below 30°C in a cool dry place.