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Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of carbidopa, entacapone or levodopa in children with use in other age groups.
Geriatric
Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work the same way in older people as they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing the use of carbidopa, entacapone and levodopa combination in the elderly with use in other age groups.
Pregnancy
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Clorgyline
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Linezolid
- Nialamide
- Pargyline
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Selegiline
- Toloxatone
- Tranylcypromine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Apomorphine
- Bitolterol
- Desipramine
- Dobutamine
- Dopamine
- Epinephrine
- Iproniazid
- Isocarboxazid
- Isoetharine
- Isoniazid
- Isoproterenol
- Linezolid
- Methyldopa
- Moclobemide
- Nialamide
- Norepinephrine
- Pargyline
- Phenelzine
- Procarbazine
- Tranylcypromine
- Venlafaxine
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bromperidol
- Bupropion
- Droperidol
- Ferric Ammonium Citrate
- Fosphenytoin
- Indinavir
- Iron
- Kava
- Metoclopramide
- Phenylalanine
- Phenytoin
- Spiramycin
- Tyrosine
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Narrow–angle glaucoma (eye pressure problem)—Carbidopa, entacapone and levodopa combination should not be used in patients with this medical problem.
- Melanoma, history of (skin cancer) or
- Skin lesions, undiagnosed (rashes that involve changes in color or texture of the skin)—This medicine may make these medical problems worse.
- Heart attack, history of, with arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)—This medicine should be used with caution with these medical problems.
- Wide-angle glaucoma (eye pressure problem)—This medicine should be used with caution with this medical problem.
