Levodopa and Benserazide (Systemic)
Brand Names : Prolopa®
Before Using This MedicineDiet - Since protein may interfere with the body's response to levodopa, high
protein diets should be avoided. Intake of normal amounts of protein should
be spaced equally throughout the day, or taken as directed by your doctor.
Pregnancy - Studies have not been done in pregnant women. However,
studies in animals have shown that levodopa affects the baby's growth both
before and after birth if given during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding - Levodopa and benserazide passes into breast milk
and may cause unwanted side effects in the nursing baby. Also, levodopa may
reduce the flow of breast milk.
Children - Studies on this medicine have been done only in
adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of levodopa
or benserazide in children with use in other age groups.
Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used
together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together
even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to
change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking
levodopa and benserazide, it is especially important that your doctor and
pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:
-
Anesthetics
-
Antihypertensive agents - May decrease blood pressure even more
as seen with levodopa therapy
-
Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g.,
Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline
[e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - Taking levodopa while
you are taking or within 2 weeks of taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors
may cause sudden extremely high blood pressure
-
Reserpine or
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Phenothiazines or
-
Tricyclic antidepressants - Levodopa and benserazide therapy
may make the patients depression worse or increase the risk of suicidal tendencies
Other medical problems - The presence of other medical
problems may affect the use of levodopa and benserazide. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
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Blood disorder or
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History of heart attack or arrhythmias or
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Kidney disease or
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Liver disease or
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Melanoma (a type of skin cancer) (or history of) or
-
Mental illness - Levodopa may make the condition worse
-
Seizure disorders, such as epilepsy (history of) - The risk of
seizures may be increased
-
Stomach ulcer (history of) - The ulcer may occur again
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