Home About
Back to Search

Carbidopa

CARBIDOPA

Manufacturer: Edenbridge Pharmaceuticals LLC.

Score: 144.0

Quick Summary

Carbidopa is a drug used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, postencephalitic parkinsonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism. It is typically used in combination with levodopa to reduce the peripheral effects of levodopa, such as nausea and vomiting, and to increase the availability of levodopa in the brain. The optimal daily dose of carbidopa must be determined by careful titration, and the maximum daily dosage should not exceed 200 mg. Carbidopa has been shown to reduce the amount of levodopa required to produce a given response by about 75% and to increase both plasma levels and the plasma half-life of levodopa. However, carbidopa can cause adverse reactions, such as dyskinesias, nausea, and vomiting, and can interact with other drugs, such as antihypertensive drugs and monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Key Clinical Findings and Indications

  • Parkinson's disease
  • postencephalitic parkinsonism
  • symptomatic parkinsonism
  • reduces peripheral effects of levodopa
  • increases availability of levodopa in the brain

Important Safety Information

Warning

Carbidopa can cause dyskinesias, nausea, and vomiting, and can interact with other drugs. It is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of the drug, and in patients taking nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Contraindications

  • known hypersensitivity to any component of the drug
  • nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitors
  • narrow-angle glaucoma

Adverse Reactions

  • dyskinesias
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • 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 use in pediatric patients

Special Population Considerations

Pregnancy

  • Category C
  • use during pregnancy only if potential benefit justifies potential risk to fetus

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 in patients below the age of 18 is not recommended

Geriatric Use

  • clinical studies 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

Similar Drugs

Carbidopa

CARBIDOPA TABLETS

Oceanside Pharmaceuticals

Similarity: 90.6%

Inbrija

LEVODOPA

Merz Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a subsidiary of Merz Therapeutics GmbH

Similarity: 69.7%
Back to Search