Stalevo

This page contains drug information on
The information provided includes the following:
what is Stalevo
the possible side effects of Stalevo
what happens if you miss a dose of Stalevo
what happens if you overdose with Stalevo
the most important information about Stalevo
how to use Stalevo
other drugs that may affect Stalevo
what to avoid while using Stalevo
 
Generic Name: carbidopa, entacapone, and levodopa (car bih DOE pa, en ta CAH pone, lee voe DOE pa )
Brand Names: Stalevo 100, Stalevo 150, Stalevo 50
 
What is the most important information I should know about Stalevo?
 •  Do not stop taking Stalevo suddenly. It may take several weeks before you feel the full effects of this medicine. Stopping the medication suddenly may lead to side effects. If the medication needs to be stopped, your doctor may need to lower the dosage gradually.
 •  Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.
 •  Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Stalevo may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
 •  Call your doctor immediately if you have uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs fever or increased body heat.

What is Stalevo?
 •  Stalevo are medications used to treat Parkinsons disease. Parkinsons disease is believed to be related to low levels of a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain. Levodopa is turned into dopamine in the body. Carbidopa and entacapone are used with levodopa to prevent the breakdown (metabolism) of levodopa in the body.
 •  Stalevo are used together to treat the stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control associated with Parkinsons disease.
 •  Stalevo may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Stalevo?
 •  Do not take Stalevo without first talking to your doctor if you have
      · narrow-angle glaucoma (angle closure glaucoma)
      · current or past history of malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer) or
      · taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the past 14 days.
 •  Before taking Stalevo, tell your doctor if you have:
      · heart disease, including high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, a previous heart attack, or an irregular heartbeat
      · respiratory disease, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis)
      · liver disease
      · kidney disease
      · a history of bile duct obstruction
      · an endocrine (hormonal) disease
      · a stomach or intestinal ulcer
      · wide-angle glaucoma or
      · depression or mental health problems.
 •  You may not be able to take Stalevo, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
 •  Stalevo is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Stalevo will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Stalevo without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
 •  It is not known whether Stalevo will be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take Stalevo without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Stalevo?
 •  Take Stalevo 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.
 •  Do not crush, chew, or break the tablets. Swallow them whole.
 •  Do not stop taking Stalevo suddenly. It may take several weeks before you feel the full effects of this medicine. Stopping the medication suddenly may lead to side effects. If the medication needs to be stopped, your doctor may need to lower the dosage gradually.
 •  It is important to take Stalevo regularly to get the most benefit.
 •  Your doctor may want you to have blood tests or other medical evaluations during treatment with Stalevo to monitor progress and side effects.
 •  Store Stalevo 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 Stalevo overdose may include muscle spasms or weakness, spasms of the eyelid, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irregular heartbeat, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking Stalevo?
 •  Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Stalevo may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
 •  Do not change the amount of protein in your diet without first talking to your doctor. Increased dietary protein may decrease the effects of Stalevo.
 •  Do not take iron products or vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron without first talking to your doctor. Iron may reduce the effectiveness of Stalevo.

What are the possible side effects of Stalevo?
 •  If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Stalevo 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
      · fever
      · seizures
      · severe nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
      · an irregular heartbeat or fluttering in the chest
      · hallucinations
      · 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 Stalevo 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 urine, sweat, or saliva (may cause discoloration of clothing) 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.

What other drugs will affect Stalevo?
 •  Do not take Stalevo without first talking to your doctor if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur.
 •  Before taking Stalevo, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
      · antacids
      · iron supplements or vitamin supplements containing iron
      · metoclopramide (Reglan)
      · isoniazid (Nydrazid)
      · phenytoin (Dilantin)
      · probenecid (Benemid)
      · cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite, Locholest)
      · erythromycin (Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, Eryc, PCE Dispertab, E.E.S., and others)
      · rifampin (Rimactane, Rifadin)
      · ampicillin (Principen, Totacillin, Omnipen, and others)
      · a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
      · a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), amoxapine (Asendin), and others or
      · a medicine used to treat psychiatric conditions (and nausea and vomiting) such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promethazine (Phenergan), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), thioridazine (Mellaril), trifluoperazine (Stelazine), risperidone (Risperdal), or haloperidol (Haldol).
 •  You may not be able to take Stalevo, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
 •  Levodopa may interfere with urine tests for sugar and ketones. If you have diabetes and notice changes in urine test results, talk to your doctor before making any changes to medications for diabetes.
 •  Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Stalevo. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.