About Syndopa Plus Tablet
Syndopa Plus Tablet contains Levodopa 100 mg + Carbidopa 25 mg. This combination is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shaking, stiffness and slow movement. Levodopa is changed into dopamine in the brain, and carbidopa stops it from being broken down too early in the rest of the body. It is taken regularly as your doctor advises and should not be stopped suddenly.
Uses of Syndopa Plus Tablet
- Parkinson's disease
- Parkinson-like symptoms (parkinsonism), as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In Parkinson's disease
It replaces the dopamine the brain is lacking, which can ease stiffness, shaking and slowness and make daily tasks like walking and dressing easier. It controls symptoms but does not stop the disease from progressing.
Side effects
Do not stop it suddenly or lower the dose on your own, as this can cause a serious reaction. Family members should also watch for changes in behaviour.
Common
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness on standing up
- Uncontrolled twisting or jerking movements (dyskinesia)
- Drowsiness
- Trouble sleeping or vivid dreams
- Dark urine, sweat or saliva (harmless)
Get medical help if you notice
- Falling asleep suddenly during daily activities, without warning — do not drive and contact your doctor
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there, or severe confusion — contact your doctor
- Strong urges to gamble, shop, eat or for sex that you cannot control — tell your doctor
- Depression or thoughts of harming yourself — contact your doctor straight away
- High fever, stiff muscles and confusion, especially after a dose is lowered or stopped — seek emergency care
- Black or bloody stools, or eye pain with blurred vision — seek medical help
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, at the times advised. Swallow the tablet with water. It can be taken with food to reduce nausea, but a high-protein meal can reduce how well it works — ask your doctor about meal timing.
How it works
Levodopa enters the brain and is changed into dopamine, the chemical that is low in Parkinson's disease. Carbidopa stops levodopa from being changed into dopamine outside the brain, so more reaches the brain and nausea is reduced.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can add to drowsiness and dizziness. Limit alcohol.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
It is not recommended while breastfeeding, as levodopa passes into breast milk and can reduce milk supply.
Driving Caution
It can cause drowsiness and, rarely, sudden sleep without warning. Do not drive if this happens to you.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in kidney disease. Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease. Tell your doctor if you have liver problems.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take doses at regular times each day.
- Do not stop or reduce it suddenly.
- Get up slowly from sitting or lying down.
- Have your skin checked regularly and report any new or changing moles.
- Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma or have ever had melanoma.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Amino acid precursor (levodopa) + hydrazine derivative (carbidopa)
- Therapeutic class
- Neurology / anti-Parkinson
- Action class
- Dopamine precursor + dopa decarboxylase inhibitor
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Non-selective MAO inhibitors (some antidepressants) | Dangerous rise in blood pressure; must not be used within 2 weeks of each other |
| Antipsychotics and metoclopramide | Can block the effect of levodopa and worsen Parkinson's symptoms |
| Iron supplements | Reduce levodopa absorption; take at different times |
| Blood pressure medicines | Can add to dizziness and low blood pressure |
| Isoniazid | May reduce the effect of levodopa |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Levodopa and carbidopa prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: co-careldopa; NICE BNF: co-careldopa). Pharmacist review pending.