• Advertisement

Archive for the ‘dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents’ Category

Stalevo 100

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Stalevo 100

Generic Name: carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa (KAR bi DOE pa, en TAK a pone, LEE voe DOE pa)

What is Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Levodopa is converted to a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may be caused by low levels dopamine in the brain.

Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

When used with carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa (Atamet, Parcopa, Sinemet), entacapone increases levels of levodopa in the body.

The combination of carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa is used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control.

Carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Do not take this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carbidopa (Lodosyn), entacapone (Comtan), or levodopa (Larodopa), or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, unusual skin lesions, or a history of skin cancer.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, especially heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or other breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, a hormonal disease, an ulcer, glaucoma, or mental illness. Also tell your doctor about all the medications you use.

It may take up to several weeks of using carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment. Also tell your doctor if the effects of this medication seem to wear off quickly in between doses.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa.

Do not stop using carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa without first talking to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Do not take this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carbidopa (Lodosyn), entacapone (Comtan), or levodopa (Larodopa), or if you have:

narrow-angle glaucoma;

unusual skin lesions that have not been checked by a doctor; or

a history of malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a prior heart attack;

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

an endocrine (hormonal) disease;

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

glaucoma; or

depression or other mental illness.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa.

Carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not there). Call your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

Some people taking medicines for Parkinson’s disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Take your medicine at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times.

It may take up to several weeks of using carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment. Also tell your doctor if the effects of this medication seem to wear off quickly in between doses.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Do not stop using carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa.

Store carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include weakness, loss of coordination, trouble breathing, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Avoid taking iron supplements or eating a diet that is high in protein (protein sources include meat, eggs, and cheese). These things can make it harder for your body to digest and absorb carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa. Talk with your doctor or nutrition counselor about the best foods to eat while you are taking this medication.

Carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa) side effects

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may cause staining of your clothes or bed sheets.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

nausea, sweating, feeling like you might pass out (especially when you first start taking this medication);

depression, confusion, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or behavior, thoughts about hurting yourself;

twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, neck, arms, or legs;

tremor (uncontrolled shaking);

muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness with fever or flu symptoms;

fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;

tight feeling in your chest, trouble breathing;

easy bruising or bleeding;

bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood;

pain or burning when you urinate; or

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, general ill feeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

stomach pain or upset, loss of appetite, constipation;

dry mouth, changes in your sense of taste;

unusual skin changes;

dizziness or drowsiness;

headache, blurred vision;

sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

agitation or anxiety;

muscle cramps, back pain; or

mild skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Stalevo 100 (carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa)?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines, or any other Parkinson’s medications..

Before taking carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

apomorphine (Apokyn);

bitolterol (Tornalate);

cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);

dobutamine (Dobutrex);

epinephrine (Epi-Pen, and others);

isoetharine (Bronkosol, Bronkometer);

isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

isoproterenol (Isuprel, Medihaler-Iso);

methyldopa (Aldomet);

metoclopramide (Reglan);

papaverine (Pavabid, Papacon, Pavagen, Pavacot);

phenytoin (Dilantin);

probenecid (Benemid); or

an antibiotic such as ampicillin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin, and others), or rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate).

blood pressure medication;

an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others; or

medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), prochlorperazine (Compazine), risperidone (Risperdal), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Requip Starter Kit

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Requip Starter Kit

Generic Name: ropinirole (oral) (roe PIN i role)

What is ropinirole?

Ropinirole has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Ropinirole is used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as stiffness, tremors, muscle spasms, and poor muscle control. Ropinirole is also used to treat restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Ropinirole may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about ropinirole?

Ropinirole may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking ropinirole.

Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do. Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of ropinirole. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by ropinirole. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines.

Ropinirole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

Do not stop using ropinirole or change your dose without first talking to your doctor. You may have side effects such as fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion if you stop the medication suddenly or if you change doses.

Some people taking medicines for Parkinson’s disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ropinirole?

Ropinirole may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to ropinirole.

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

heart disease;

high or low blood pressure;

mental illness or compulsive behaviors;

kidney disease;

liver disease; or

if you smoke.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking ropinirole. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking ropinirole.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ropinirole is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether ropinirole passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Ropinirole may reduce breast milk production. Do not take ropinirole without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Ropinirole may cause hallucinations (the sensation of hearing or seeing something that is not there), most commonly among elderly people. Call your doctor if you experience hallucinations.

Some people taking medicines for Parkinson’s disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.

How should I take ropinirole?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

The dose and timing of ropinirole in treating Parkinson’s disease is different from the dose and timing in treating RLS.

You may receive ropinirole in a starting kit that has each pill marked with the day you should take it. Do not mix these pills up because they each contain different amounts of ropinirole. The pills must be taken in order so that you gradually receive higher doses of the medication.

You may have a brief increase in side effects whenever your dose is changed.

Ropinirole can be taken with or without food. Taking the medicine with food may help prevent nausea, which is a common side effect of ropinirole. It may take several weeks or months of using this medicine before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Do not stop taking ropinirole suddenly or change your doses, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as fever, muscle stiffness, and confusion. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. Do not share this medication with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you do. Store ropinirole at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, agitation, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, tingly feeling, and chest pain.

What should I avoid while taking ropinirole?

Ropinirole can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid smoking, which can make ropinirole less effective. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of ropinirole.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Ropinirole side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

feeling like you might pass out;

fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats (especially if you stop taking ropinirole or use a lower dose);

hallucinations;

tremors (uncontrolled shaking); or

tight feeling in your chest, trouble breathing.

Call your doctor promptly if you fall asleep during a daily activity, if you faint, or if you have hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that is not there). Your doctor may want you to stop taking ropinirole, or take a lower dose.

Less serious side effects may occur, such as:

mild nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or loss of appetite;

worsened RLS symptoms early in the morning;

diarrhea or constipation;

dry mouth, sweating;

headache;

dizziness, drowsiness;

sleep problems (insomnia); or

agitation or anxiety.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect ropinirole?

Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by ropinirole. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines, or any other Parkinson’s medications..

Before taking ropinirole, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

levodopa;

ciprofloxacin (Cipro);

fluvoxamine (Luvox);

metoclopramide (Reglan);

omeprazole (Prilosec);

an estrogen such as Premarin, Prempro, Estratest, Ogen, Estraderm, Climara, Vivelle, estradiol, and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with ropinirole. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Permax

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Permax

Permax is used for:

Treating Parkinson disease when used with levodopa/carbidopa.

Permax is dopamine agonist. It works by stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain.

Do NOT use Permax if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Permax :

Some medical conditions may interact with Permax . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Permax . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Permax may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Permax :

Use Permax as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Permax .

Important safety information:

If you suddenly stop taking Permax , you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including anxiety, muscle twitching, trembling hands and fingers, weakness, dizziness, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, lightheadedness, or seizures.

Possible side effects of Permax :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Anxiety; constipation; diarrhea; difficulty sleeping; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; lightheadedness; loss of appetite; nausea; pain; runny nose; stomach pain; stomach upset.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; confusion; fainting; increased jerking movements; leg or foot swelling; seeing or hearing strange things (hallucinations); severe dizziness or lightheadedness; trouble breathing; unusual weakness; unusually slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (

Store Permax at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Permax out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Permax . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

More Permax resources

Compare Permax with other medications for the treatment of:

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Parcopa

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets

Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets are used for:

Treating symptoms associated with Parkinson disease and parkinsonism-like symptoms caused by other conditions. It may also be used to treat certain conditions as determined by your doctor.

Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets are an antidyskinetic combination. Levodopa is transformed by the body and the brain into a substance which helps to decrease tremors and other symptoms of Parkinson disease. Carbidopa helps levodopa to reach the brain.

Do NOT use Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets:

Some medical conditions may interact with Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets:

Use Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets.

Important safety information:

Possible side effects of Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; increased sweating; loss of appetite; nausea; taste changes; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; urinary tract infection; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in vomit; chest pain; confusion; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; muscle pain or unusual stiffness; severe abdominal pain; severe lightheadedness or fainting; sore throat; thoughts of suicide; unexplained fever or sweating; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or painful movements or spasms of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, arms, hands, or legs; vision changes (blurred/double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (

Store Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

More Parcopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets resources

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Lodosyn

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Lodosyn

Lodosyn is used for:

Treating symptoms associated with Parkinson disease and parkinsonism-like symptoms caused by other conditions. It is used in combination with another medicine called levodopa. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Lodosyn is an antiparkinson agent. It works by helping levodopa to reach the brain.

Do NOT use Lodosyn if:

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lodosyn :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lodosyn . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lodosyn . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lodosyn may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Lodosyn :

Use Lodosyn as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lodosyn .

Important safety information:

Possible side effects of Lodosyn :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects.

Confusion; constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; taste changes; trouble sleeping; upset stomach; urinary tract infection; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in vomit; chest pain; confusion; depression; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; hallucinations; increased sweating; mental or mood changes; muscle pain or unusual stiffness; severe abdominal pain; severe lightheadedness or fainting; sore throat; thoughts of suicide; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual or painful movements or spasms of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, arms, hands, or legs; vision changes (blurred/double vision); yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (

Store Lodosyn at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Lodosyn out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lodosyn . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

More Lodosyn resources

Compare Lodosyn with other medications for the treatment of:

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Larodopa

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Larodopa

Generic Name: levodopa (lee voe DOE pa)

What is Larodopa (levodopa)?

Levodopa is a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is associated with low levels of a chemical called dopamine (doe PA meen) in the brain. Levodopa is turned into dopamine in the body and therefore increases levels of this chemical.

Levodopa is used to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control of Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa is also used to treat these same muscular conditions when they are caused by drugs such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), perphenazine (Trilafon), and others.

Levodopa may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Larodopa (levodopa)?

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the face, eyelids, mouth, tongue, neck, arms, hands, or legs; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; an irregular heartbeat or fluttering in the chest; or unusual changes in mood or behavior.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Levodopa may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Larodopa (levodopa)?

Do not take levodopa if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) withinin the past 2 weeks. Do not take levodopa without first talking to your doctor if you have

narrow-angle glaucoma (angle closure glaucoma), or

malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

any kind of heart disease, including high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries, a previous heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat;

respiratory disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

an endocrine (hormonal) disease;

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

wide-angle glaucoma; or

depression or any other psychiatric disorder.

You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether levodopa will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take levodopa without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether levodopa will be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take levodopa without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Larodopa (levodopa)?

Take levodopa exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Levodopa is usually taken several times a day with food. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

It is important to take levodopa regularly to get the most benefit.

It may be several weeks or months before the benefits of levodopa are seen. Do not stop taking levodopa without first talking to your doctor.

Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with levodopa to monitor progress and side effects.

Store levodopa at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a levodopa overdose include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, and agitation.

What should I avoid while taking Larodopa (levodopa)?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Levodopa may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Avoid vitamin products that contain vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This vitamin may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa.

Larodopa (levodopa) side effects

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking levodopa and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

uncontrolled movements of a part of the body;

seizures;

persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

an irregular heartbeat or fluttering in the chest;

unusual changes in mood or behavior; or

depression or suicidal thoughts.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take levodopa and talk to your doctor if you experience

mild nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

constipation, dry mouth, or blurred vision;

hand tremor;

muscle twitches;

dizziness or drowsiness;

insomnia, confusion, or nightmares;

agitation or anxiety;

darkening of the urine or sweat; or

fatigue.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Larodopa (levodopa)?

Do not take levodopa if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the past 2 weeks.

Antacids may increase the effectiveness of levodopa and lead to side effects. Ask your doctor about the use of antacids.

Tell your doctor if you are taking a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Drugs taken to treat high blood pressure may be more effective when taken with levodopa, and very low blood pressure could result.

Many drugs may decrease the effects of levodopa. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

drugs used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin (Peganone), and mephenytoin (Mesantoin);

papaverine (Pavabid, Cerespan, others);

pyridoxine or vitamin B6;

antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and amoxapine (Asendin); or

Levodopa may interfere with diabetic urine tests for sugar and ketones. If you are diabetic and notice changes in your urine test results, talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diabetes medication.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with levodopa. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Cycloset

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Cycloset

Generic Name: bromocriptine mesylate

FDA Approves Cycloset

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Cycloset (bromocriptine mesylate) for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Cycloset improves glycemic control across a broad patient population as a monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy to sulfonylurea, metformin plus sulfonylurea, and single or dual oral hypoglycaemic agent therapies.

Cycloset is the first drug to be approved subsequent to the FDA’s new guidelines that require studies demonstrating that diabetes drugs do not increase cardiovascular risk. A 52 week, double-blind safety trial of 3,000 patients treated with Cycloset did not show an increase in pre-specified and independently adjudicated adverse cardiovascular outcomes?

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Atamet

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Atamet

Generic Name: carbidopa and levodopa (KAR bi DOE pa and LEE voe DOE pa)

What is Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

Levodopa is converted to a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease may be caused by low levels dopamine in the brain. Levodopa is turned into dopamine in the body.

Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

The combination of carbidopa and levodopa is used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control.

Carbidopa and levodopa is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Carbidopa and levodopa may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

If you are already taking levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar), you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before you start taking carbidopa and levodopa. It may take up to several weeks of using carbidopa and levodopa before your symptoms improve. For best results, keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after a few weeks of treatment. Also tell your doctor if the effects of this medication seem to wear off quickly in between doses. Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet (Sinemet CR). Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time. Carbidopa and levodopa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. This medication may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medication. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

Do not use carbidopa and levodopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take carbidopa and levodopa before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to carbidopa (Lodosyn) or levodopa (Larodopa), or if you have:

narrow-angle glaucoma;

unusual skin lesions that have not been checked by a doctor; or

a history of malignant melanoma (skin cancer).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before you take carbidopa and levodopa, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, or a prior heart attack;

asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;

an endocrine (hormonal) disease;

a stomach or intestinal ulcer;

wide-angle glaucoma; or

depression or other mental illness.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa. It is not known whether the medicine actually causes this effect. Talk with your doctor if you believe you have any intense or unusual urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Some people taking medicines for Parkinson’s disease have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for. You may need to have regular skin exams.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether carbidopa and levodopa is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Carbidopa and levodopa may pass into breast milk and could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

The disintegrating tablet (such as Parcopa) may contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of carbidopa and levodopa if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

If you are already taking levodopa (Larodopa, Dopar), you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before you start taking carbidopa and levodopa.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Carbidopa and levodopa can be taken with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals to keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times.

If you are switched from regular tablets to extended-release tablets, you may notice it takes a little longer for your medicine to start working. Talk with your doctor if this concerns you.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking or opening the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

The regular tablet can be broken or crushed if needed to make it easier to swallow.

To take the orally disintegrating tablet (Parcopa):

Keep the tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine. Open the package and peel back the foil from the tablet blister. Do not push a tablet through the foil or you may damage the tablet.

Using dry hands, remove the tablet and place it in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away.

Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney, heart, and liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using carbidopa and levodopa.

Parkinson’s disease is sometimes treated with a combination of different drugs. To best treat your condition, use all of your medications as directed by your doctor. Be sure to read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each of your medications. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without advice from your doctor.

Store carbidopa and levodopa at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose can cause uneven heart rate.

What should I avoid while taking Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

Avoid taking iron supplements or eating a diet that is high in protein (protein sources include meat, eggs, and cheese). These things can make it harder for your body to digest and absorb carbidopa and levodopa. Talk with your doctor or nutrition counselor about the best foods to eat while you are taking this medication.

Carbidopa and levodopa can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa) side effects

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may cause staining of your clothes or bed sheets.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);

high fever, stiff muscles, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing, feeling like you might pass out;

seizure (convulsions);

painful or difficult urination;

severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

uneven heart rate or fluttering in your chest;

confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, agitation, unusual thoughts or behavior;

depressed mood, thoughts of suicide or hurting yourself; or

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder.

Less serious side effects may include:

mild nausea, dry mouth, loss of appetite, heartburn;

diarrhea, constipation;

headache, dizziness, drowsiness, blurred vision;

sneezing, stuffy nose, cough, or other cold symptoms;

sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams;

numbness or tingly feeling;

muscle pain; or

skin rash or itching.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Atamet (carbidopa and levodopa)?

Before taking carbidopa and levodopa, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

other Parkinson’s medications;

metoclopramide (Reglan);

isoniazid (Nydrazid);

phenytoin (Dilantin);

papaverine (Pavabid, Papacon, Pavagen, Pavacot);

blood pressure medication;

an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip), doxepin (Sinequan), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others; or

medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), prochlorperazine (Compazine), risperidone (Risperdal), and others;

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with carbidopa and levodopa. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Apokyn

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Apokyn

Generic Name: apomorphine (a poe MOR feen)

What is Apokyn?

Apokyn (apomorphine) has some of the same effects as a chemical called dopamine, which occurs naturally in your body. Low levels of dopamine in the brain are associated with Parkinson’s disease.

Apokyn is used to treat “wearing-off” episodes (muscle stiffness, loss of muscle control) in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease.

Apokyn may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Apokyn

Some people using Apokyn have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how Apokyn will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Do not drink alcohol or use narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, muscle relaxers, or other medicines that can make you sleepy or lower your blood pressure. Dangerous side effects may result. Apokyn can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Before using Apokyn

You should not use Apokyn if you are allergic to apomorphine, or if you are using any of the following medications:

alosetron (Lotronex);

dolasetron (Anzemet);

granisetron (Kytril);

ondansetron (Zofran); or

palonosetron (Aloxi).

Before using Apokyn, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

a slow heart rate;

a personal or family history of “Long QT syndrome”;

a history of stroke or heart attack;

asthma;

a psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia; or

low blood pressure.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use Apokyn.

Some people using Apokyn have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness. If you are unsure of how this medicine will affect you, be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

FDA pregnancy category C. Apokyn may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Apokyn can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Apokyn without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I use Apokyn?

Apokyn is given as an injection under the skin of your stomach, upper arm, or upper thigh. Your doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be shown how to inject your medicine at home. Do not self-inject this medicine if you do not fully understand how to give the injection and properly dispose of used needles and syringes.

Apokyn comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Do not inject Apokyn into a vein. Measuring your Apokyn dose correctly is extremely important. If you use an injector pen with your Apokyn, the medication is measured in milliliters (mL) marked on the pen. However, your prescribed dose may be in milligrams (mg). One milligram, or 1 mg, of Apokyn is equal to 0.1 mL marked on the dosing pen.

Use a different place on your stomach, arm, or thigh each time you give yourself an injection. Do not inject Apokyn into the same place two times in a row.

Use each disposable needle only one time. Throw away used needles in a puncture-proof container (ask your pharmacist where you can get one and how to dispose of it). Keep this container out of the reach of children and pets.

Apokyn can cause severe nausea and vomiting. For this reason, your doctor may prescribe an anti-nausea medication for you to start taking a few days before you begin using Apokyn. You may also need to keep using the anti-nausea medicine throughout your treatment with Apokyn.

You may have withdrawal symptoms such as fever, muscle stiffness, and feeling light-headed or fainting, when you stop using this medication after using it over a long period of time. Do not stop using Apokyn suddenly without first talking to your doctor. You may need to use less and less before you stop the medication completely.

If you stop using Apokyn for a week or longer, ask your doctor before restarting the medication. You may need to restart with a lower dose.

Store this medication at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, extreme drowsiness, or fainting.

What should I avoid while using Apokyn?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Apokyn. Cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by Apokyn. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these other medicines. Apokyn can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Apokyn side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Apokyn: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

nausea or vomiting that continues after taking an anti-nausea medication;

feeling light-headed (especially when you stand up);

falling or passing out;

chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, sweating, general ill feeling;

confusion, hallucinations;

restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck;

tremor (uncontrolled shaking); or

penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious Apokyn side effects may include:

bruising, itching, or hardening of your skin where the injection was given;

increased sexual desire;

depressed mood, headache;

pale skin, increased sweating;

warmth, redness, or tingling under your skin;

dizziness, drowsiness, yawning;

runny nose;

swelling in your hands or feet;

sleep problems (insomnia);

joint pain; or

constipation or diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Apokyn?

Before using Apokyn, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

bepridil (Vascor);

blood pressure medications;

cisapride (Propulsid);

chloroquine (Arelan) or halofantrine (Halfan);

metoclopramide (Reglan);

niacin (nicotinic acid, Niacor, Niaspan, and others);

sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), or vardenafil (Levitra);

narcotic medication such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), hydrocodone (Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), levomethadyl (Orlaam), methadone (Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), oxymorphone (Opana), pentazocine (Talwin), or propoxyphene (Darvon);

antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax), clarithromycin (Biaxin), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S., Erythrocin, Ery-Tab), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), sparfloxacin (Zagam), telithromycin (Ketek);

medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as haloperidol (Haldol), droperidol (Inapsine), chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine); or

heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute), or sotalol (Betapace).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Apokyn. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »

Azilect

Posted by admin on November 4th, 2009

Azilect

Generic Name: rasagiline (ras AJ il een)

What is Azilect?

Azilect (rasagiline) is a monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor. It works by increasing the levels of certain chemicals in the brain.

Azilect is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Azilect is sometimes used with another drug called levodopa.

Azilect may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Azilect?

Do not take Azilect if you have liver disease or an adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma). Do not take Azilect within 14 days before having surgery.

There are many other medicines that should not be taken together with Azilect or serious medical problems could result. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, including vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.

While you are taking Azilect and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you must not eat or drink certain foods and beverages that are high in tyramine, listed in the “What should I avoid while taking Azilect?” section of this leaflet. Eating these foods while you are taking Azilect can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. This may cause life-threatening symptoms such as sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, seizure (convulsions), and sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while taking Azilect. Continue avoiding these foods for a full 14 days after you stop taking the medication.

Azilect can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking Azilect?

Do not take Azilect if you have liver disease or an adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma). Do not take Azilect within 14 days before having surgery. Do not take Azilect if you have taken any of the following drugs within the past 14 days:

meperidine (Demerol);

tramadol (Ultram);

propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet);

methadone (Methadose, Dolophine);

over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medicines containing dextromethorphan, pseudoephedrine, or phenylephrine;

St. John’s wort;

mirtazapine (Remeron);

cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril);

amphetamines (such as ADHD medication), stimulants, diet pills; or

other MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam).

Some people taking Azilect have developed skin cancer (melanoma). However, people with Parkinson’s disease may have a higher risk than most people for developing melanoma. Talk to your doctor about your specific risk and what skin symptoms to watch for.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Azilect passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Azilect?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Azilect is usually taken once daily. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take this medication with a full glass of water. Azilect is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes a diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. While you are taking Azilect and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, listed in the “What should I avoid while taking Azilect?” section of this leaflet. Eating these foods while you are taking Azilect can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels. This may cause life-threatening side effects such as sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, problems with speech or balance, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, seizure (convulsions), and sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body). Call your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.

Foods that you may eat include:

fresh meat, poultry, or fish (including lunch meat, hot dogs, breakfast sausage, and cooked sliced ham);

any vegetables except broad bean pods (fava beans);

canned or bottled beer, white wine;

processed cheese, mozzarella, ricotta, cottage cheese;

pizza made with cheeses low in tyramine;

soy milk, yogurt; or

Brewer’s or baker’s yeast.

It is important to use Azilect regularly to get the most benefit. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking Azilect. You will need to stop using the medicine for at least 14 days before your surgery.

Store Azilect at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a Azilect overdose may include drowsiness, severe headache, feeling agitated or irritable, vision problems, fast and uneven heartbeats, sweating, cold or clammy skin, shallow breathing, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking Azilect?

While you are taking Azilect and for 2 weeks after you stop taking it, you must not eat foods that are high in tyramine, including:

air dried meats, aged or fermented meats, sausage or salami (including cacciatore and mortadella), pickled herring, and any spoiled or improperly stored beef, poultry, fish, or liver;

beer from a tap, beer that has not been pasteurized, or red wine;

aged cheeses, including blue, boursault, brick, brie, camembert, cheddar, emmenthaler, gruyere, parmesan, romano, roquefort, stilton, and swiss;

sauerkraut;

over-the-counter supplements or cough and cold medicines that contain tyramine;

soy beans, soy sauce, tofu, miso soup, bean curd, fava beans; or

yeast extracts (such as Marmite).

Eating tyramine while you are taking Azilect can raise your blood pressure to dangerous levels which could cause life-threatening side effects.

You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must avoid while you are taking Azilect. Continue avoiding these foods for a full 14 days after you stop taking the medication.

Azilect can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Azilect side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Azilect and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

increased blood pressure (sudden and severe headache, confusion, blurred vision, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, seizure);

sudden numbness or weakness (especially on one side of the body), problems with speech or balance;

unusual thoughts or behavior, confusion, extreme agitation;

fever, sweating, muscle stiffness;

feeling light-headed, fainting;

blistering skin rash;

twitching muscle movements; or

hallucinations (seeing things that are not there).

Continue using Azilect and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

joint pain;

mild headache, dizziness, or depressed mood;

hair loss;

numbness or tingly feeling;

dry mouth, loss of appetite;

constipation, diarrhea, upset stomach, vomiting, weight loss;

decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; or

flu symptoms.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect Azilect?

Before taking Azilect, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

ciprofloxacin (Cipro);

theophylline (Theo-Dur, Respbid, Uniphyl); or

antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), amoxapine (Ascendin), citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), paroxetine (Paxil), or sertraline (Zoloft).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use Azilect, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect Azilect. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Posted in dopaminergic antiparkinsonism agents Tags: , No Comments »
« Older Entries
Free T-Mobile phones on sale | Thanks to Best Savings Accounts, Conveyancing Fees and Used Cars