Parkinson’s diseaseand extra pyramidal disorders except those induced by antipsychotics
Forms and strengths
100 mg levodopa+ 10 mg carbidopa tablet
250 mg levodopa + 25 mg carbidopa tablet
Dosage
Doses are expressed as levodopa:
Adult:
Initial dose: 50 to 125 mg 3 times daily, immediately after meals. Increase by 50 to 125 mg everyday or every 2 days until the optimal dose for the individual patient is reached.
Maintenance dose usually:250 to 500 mg 3 times daily, immediately after meals (max. 2 g daily)
Reduce dosage in older patients.
Duration
According to clinical response
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
Do not administer in case of severe psychosis, confusion, closed-angle glaucoma,recent myocardial infarction, malignant melanoma.
May cause:
early in treatment, when dose is not adjusted : anorexia, vomiting, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, agitation, insomnia or drowsiness, depression;
frequent delayed adverse effects, signs of excessive dosage, mainly:
dyskinesia, tremor;
mental disorders more frequent in older patients: confusional state or depression with or without suicidal tendencies;
later in treatment : fluctuation of the effect during the day (in this event, daily dosage may be divided into smaller doses and taken more frequently); or reduction of the effect (progression of the disease).
Administer with caution in mental disorders,cardiac disease, gastroduodenal ulcer.
Do not administer simultaneously with MAOI antidepressants, antipsychotics, reserpine.
Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED
Breast-feeding: CONTRA-INDICATED
Remarks
Tablet must be swallowed whole. Do not chew or dissolve.