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Carbidopa

CARBIDOPA TABLETS

Manufacturer: Oceanside Pharmaceuticals

Score: 144.0

Quick Summary

Carbidopa is a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, postencephalitic parkinsonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism. It is often administered with levodopa to reduce the peripheral effects of levodopa, such as nausea and vomiting, and to increase the bioavailability of levodopa in the brain. The optimal daily dosage of carbidopa must be determined by careful titration, and it is recommended to start with a low dose and gradually increase as needed. Carbidopa has several contraindications, including known hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and narrow-angle glaucoma. The most common adverse reactions include dyskinesias, nausea, and psychotic episodes. Carbidopa should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus, and it is not recommended for use in pediatric patients or nursing mothers.

Key Clinical Findings and Indications

  • Treatment of Parkinson's disease
  • Treatment of postencephalitic parkinsonism
  • Treatment of symptomatic parkinsonism
  • Reduction of peripheral effects of levodopa
  • Increase bioavailability of levodopa in the brain

Important Safety Information

Warning

Carbidopa has no antiparkinsonian effect when given alone and should not be used without levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa combination products.

Contraindications

  • Known hypersensitivity to any component of the drug
  • Nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma

Adverse Reactions

  • Dyskinesias
  • Nausea
  • Psychotic episodes
  • Depression
  • Dementia
  • Convulsions

Dosing Recommendations

General Guidance

Dosage of carbidopa may be adjusted by adding or omitting one-half or one tablet a day.

Parkinson's disease

Adult Dose

25 mg three or four times a day

Pediatric Dose

Not recommended for pediatric patients

Special Population Considerations

Pregnancy

  • Use during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus
  • Levodopa crosses the human placental barrier and is metabolized

Nursing Mothers

  • It is not known whether carbidopa is excreted in human milk
  • A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug

Pediatric Use

  • Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
  • Use of the drug in patients below the age of 18 is not recommended

Geriatric Use

  • Clinical studies of carbidopa did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over
  • Dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range