Treating Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease: it is a progressive nervous system disorder. It affects the activities of a person like moves. It also includes how they speak and write. Symptom includes tremor and shaking. It may start with one hand and spread over the legs and the body. They are movement disorders.
Carbidopa and Levodopa is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. It is useful to treat symptoms like itself, due to other reasons. FDA approved the drug in 1988.
How do Carbidopa and Levodopa works?
The combination contains two drugs.
Levodopa: – It is in the class of medications called central nervous system agents. It is converted into dopamine in the brain. It is as an important drug for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The drug is a dopamine precursor. Parkinson’s disease is caused due to the lack of a natural substance called as dopamine in the brain.
Carbidopa: – It belongs to the class of drugs called as de-carboxylase inhibitors. The drug helps to reach Levodopa to the target organ (brain). It prevents it from breaking down in between. It prevents nausea due to the use of Levodopa alone.
They together work to increase the dopamine level in the brain. They help to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
How to take Carbidopa and Levodopa?
The drug is available in the form of oral tablets. The tablets are in the ratio of 1:4 or 1:10 of Carbidopa and Levodopa strengths.
- 10/100 mg.
- 25/100 mg.
- 25/250 mg.
Comments: –
- The dosage depends on the tolerance and response to the first dose.
- You can take the tablet with or without food.
- Take the tablet at the same time each day.
- Your doctor may start with low initial dose. He may increase the dose as per the need of the patient.
- Avoid high protein diet. It can reduce the absorption of the drug.
What are the uses of Levodopa and Carbidopa?
- It is used for the management of Parkinson’s disease.
- It is also useful in the treatment of restless legs syndrome.
Use of Levodopa.
- Levodopa change into dopamine in the brain. This natural chemical helps to control movement.
Uses of Carbidopa
- Carbidopa prevents the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream. This allows the maximum of it to enter the brain.
- Thus it allows to consume small dose to manage the symptom of Parkinson’s disease.
- Low dose helps to reduce the side effects of the drug.
- It prevents nausea caused because of Levodopa alone.
- It is a Levodopa enhancer.
- It is considered as the most effective treatment for this disease.
Cost of Carbidopa and Levodopa (Generic and Brand)
Brand drugs are costly as compared to the Generic drug. Their cost increase due to money, time and effort put towards the advertising of the brand drugs. Generic medicines do not need to spend for this. Thus the saved amount helps us to sell the cheap Generic drug.
Cost of Generic Carbidopa and Levodopa.
Quantity Strength Price Price per unit.
- 30 tablets 10/100 mg $ 8 $ 0.27
2 30 tablets 25/100 mg $ 11 $ 0.37
3 30 tablets 25/250 mg $ 12 $ 0.4
Cost of Brand Sinemet.
Quantity Strength Price Price per unit.
1)100 tablets 10/100 mg $ 129.66 $ 1.30
2) 100 tablets 25/100 mg $ 145.32 $ 1.45
3) 100 tablets 25/250 mg $ 181.86 $ 1.82