CARBIDOPA; ENTACAPONE; LEVODOPA

USDailyMed:Carbidopa and levodopa AU:B3 N04BA02(WHO) AU:S4(Prescription only)CA:℞-onlyUK:POM(Prescription only)US:℞-only 57308-51-7 104778 94585Y D00253 DTXSID00964491 DTXSID40894086, DTXSID00964491 Carbidopa/levodopa, also known aslevocarbandco-careldopa, is the combination of the two medicationscarbidopaandlevodopa.It is primarily used to manage the symptoms ofParkinson's disease, although it does not slow down the disease or slo​‍​​​​​‍​‍‍‍‍​‍‍w down progression.It can take two to three weeks of treatment before benefits are seen.Each dose then begins working in about ten minutes to two hours, with a duration of effect of about five hours.Carbidopa/levodopa is takenorally. Common side effects includemovement problemsand nausea.More serious side effects include depression,low blood pressure with standing, sudden onset of sleepiness,psychosis, and increased risk-taking behavior.Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of levodopa outside the brain.In the brain, levodopa is broken down intodopamine– its active form.Carbidopa also helps prevent some of the nausea which levodopa causes. It is on theWorld Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.It is available as ageneric medication.In 2023, it was the 310th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 200,000 prescriptions.