CARBIDOPA & LEVODOPA ORALLY DISINTEGRATING 25 MG / 100 MG 100 TAB
Generic: CARBIDOPA AND LEVODOPA
CARBIDOPA & LEVODOPA ORALLY DISINTEGRATING 25 MG / 100 MG 100 TAB
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Identification
CARBIDOPA AND LEVODOPA
CARBIDOPA AND LEVODOPA
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Inc.
HUMAN PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Administration
TABLET, ORALLY DISINTEGRATING
ORAL
ANDA078690
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| CARBIDOPA | 25 mg/1 |
| LEVODOPA | 100 mg/1 |
Pharmacological Class
Data sourced from openFDA / DailyMed. For full prescribing information, consult the drug label.
Wholesale compliance resources
Drug Resources
Clinical Drug Information
Indications & Usage
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets are indicated in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication. Carbidopa allows patients treated for Parkinson’s disease to use much lower doses of levodopa. Some patients who responded poorly to levodopa have improved on carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. This is most likely due to decreased peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa caused by administration of carbidopa rather than by a primary effect of carbidopa on the nervous system. Carbidopa has not been shown to enhance the intrinsic efficacy of levodopa. Carbidopa may also reduce nausea and vomiting and permit more rapid titration of levodopa.
Warnings
WARNINGS When carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet is to be given to patients who are being treated with levodopa, levodopa must be discontinued at least twelve hours before therapy with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet is started. In order to reduce adverse reactions, it is necessary to individualize therapy. See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION section before initiating therapy. The addition of carbidopa with levodopa in the form of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets reduces the peripheral effects (nausea, vomiting) due to decarboxylation of levodopa; however, carbidopa does not decrease the adverse reactions due to the central effects of levodopa. Because carbidopa permits more levodopa to reach the brain and more dopamine to be formed, certain adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects, e.g., dyskinesias (involuntary movements), may occur at lower dosages and sooner with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets than with levodopa alone. All patients should be observed carefully for the development of depression with concomitant suicidal tendencies. Carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets should be administered cautiously to patients with severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, renal, hepatic or endocrine disease. As with levodopa, care should be exercised in administering carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets to patients with a history of myocardial infarction who have residual atrial, nodal, or ventricular arrhythmias. In such patients, cardiac function should be monitored with particular care during the period of initial dosage adjustment, in a facility with provisions for intensive cardiac care. As with levodopa, treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets may increase the possibility of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with a history of peptic ulcer. Vitamin B 6 Deficiency and Seizures Treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets may contribute to reduced vitamin B 6 levels. Higher doses of carbidopa/levodopa may increase the risk of vitamin B 6 deficiency. Seizures associated with vitamin B 6 deficiency have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients taking carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. In these reported cases, seizures were refractory to traditional anti-seizure medications and only resolved after vitamin B 6 administration. Other symptoms of vitamin B 6 deficiency may occur, including depression, confusion, cheilosis, glossitis, dermatitis, anemia, and/or neuropathy. Evaluate vitamin B 6 levels prior to initiation of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets and periodically while on treatment or if symptoms associated with vitamin B 6 deficiency are identified. Supplement with vitamin B 6 as necessary. Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence Patients taking carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets alone or with other dopaminergic drugs have reported suddenly falling asleep without prior warning of sleepiness while engaged in activities of daily living (includes operation of motor vehicles). Road traffic accidents attributed to sudden sleep onset have been reported. Although many patients reported somnolence while on dopaminergic medications, there have been reports of road traffic accidents attributed to sudden onset of sleep in which the patient did not perceive any warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Sudden onset of sleep has been reported to occur as long as one year after the initiation of treatment. Falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in patients experiencing preexisting somnolence, although some patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Patients should be advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machines during treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Patients who have already experienced somnolence or an episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities during treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Before initiating treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets, advise patients about the potential to develop drowsiness and ask specifically about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets such as the use of concomitant sedating medications and the presence of sleep disorders. Consider discontinuing carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating, etc.). If treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets continues, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patients become somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. Hyperpyrexia and Confusion Sporadic cases of a symptom complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) have been reported in association with dose reductions or withdrawal of certain antiparkinsonian agents such as levodopa, carbidopa and levodopa, or carbidopa and levodopa extended release. Therefore, patients should be observed carefully when the dosage of levodopa is reduced abruptly or discontinued, especially if the patient is receiving neuroleptics. NMS is an uncommon but life-threatening syndrome characterized by fever or hyperthermia. Neurological findings, including muscle rigidity, involuntary movements, altered consciousness, mental status changes; other disturbances, such as autonomic dysfunction, tachycardia, tachypnea, sweating, hyper- or hypotension; laboratory findings, such as creatine phosphokinase elevation, leukocytosis, myoglobinuria, and increased serum myoglobin have been reported. The early diagnosis of this condition is important for the appropriate management of these patients. Considering NMS as a possible diagnosis and ruling out other acute illnesses (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection, etc.) is essential. This may be especially complex if the clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (EPS). Other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central nervous system (CNS) pathology. The management of NMS should include: 1) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring and 2) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available. Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine, and muscle relaxants, such as dantrolene, are often used in the treatment of NMS; however, their effectiveness has not been demonstrated in controlled studies.
Dosage & Administration
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Instructions for Use/Handling Carbidopa and Levodopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets, USP Just prior to administration, GENTLY remove the tablet from the bottle with dry hands. IMMEDIATELY place the carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet on top of the tongue where it will dissolve in seconds, then swallow with saliva. Administration with liquid is not necessary. The optimum daily dosage of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets must be determined by careful titration in each patient. Carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets are available in a 1:4 ratio of carbidopa to levodopa (carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg) as well as 1:10 ratio (carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/250 mg and carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 10 mg/100 mg). Tablets of the two ratios may be given separately or combined as needed to provide the optimum dosage. Studies show that peripheral dopa decarboxylase is saturated by carbidopa at approximately 70 to 100 mg a day. Patients receiving less than this amount of carbidopa are more likely to experience nausea and vomiting. Management of Vitamin B 6 Levels Evaluate vitamin B 6 levels prior to initiating carbidopa/levodopa therapies, including carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated (See WARNINGS, Vitamin B 6 Deficiency and Seizures ). If vitamin B 6 levels are low, supplement to sufficient levels per standard of care. Patients may initiate and continue treatment with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets while supplementing vitamin B 6 . Usual Initial Dosage Dosage is best initiated with one tablet of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg three times a day. This dosage schedule provides 75 mg of carbidopa per day. Dosage may be increased by one tablet every day or every other day, as necessary, until a dosage of eight tablets of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg a day is reached. If carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet 10 mg/100 mg is used, dosage may be initiated with one tablet three or four times a day. However, this will not provide an adequate amount of carbidopa for many patients. Dosage may be increased by one tablet every day or every other day until a total of eight tablets (2 tablets q.i.d.) is reached. How to Transfer Patients from Levodopa Levodopa must be discontinued at least twelve hours before starting carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets . A daily dosage of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets should be chosen that will provide approximately 25% of the previous levodopa dosage. Patients who are taking less than 1500 mg of levodopa a day should be started on one tablet of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg three or four times a day. The suggested starting dosage for most patients taking more than 1500 mg of levodopa is one tablet of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/250 mg three or four times a day. Maintenance Therapy should be individualized and adjusted according to the desired therapeutic response. At least 70 to 100 mg of carbidopa per day should be provided. When a greater proportion of carbidopa is required, one tablet of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg may be substituted for each tablet of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 10 mg/100 mg. When more levodopa is required, carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/250 mg should be substituted for carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/100 mg or carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 10 mg/100 mg. If necessary, the dosage of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets 25 mg/250 mg may be increased by one-half or one tablet every day or every other day to a maximum of eight tablets a day. Experience with total daily dosages of carbidopa greater than 200 mg is limited. Because both therapeutic and adverse responses occur more rapidly with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets than with levodopa alone, patients should be monitored closely during the dose adjustment period. Specifically, involuntary movements will occur more rapidly with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets than with levodopa. The occurrence of involuntary movements may require dosage reduction. Blepharospasm may be a useful early sign of excess dosage in some patients. Addition of Other Antiparkinsonian Medications Standard drugs for Parkinson’s disease, other than levodopa without a decarboxylase inhibitor, may be used concomitantly while carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet is being administered, although dosage adjustments may be required. Interruption of Therapy Sporadic cases of hyperpyrexia and confusion have been associated with dose reductions and withdrawal of carbidopa and levodopa. Patients should be observed carefully if abrupt reduction or discontinuation of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets is required, especially if the patient is receiving neuroleptics. (See WARNINGS.) If general anesthesia is required, carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets may be continued as long as the patient is permitted to take fluids and medication by mouth. If therapy is interrupted temporarily, the patient should be observed for symptoms resembling NMS, and the usual daily dosage may be administered as soon as the patient is able to take oral medication.
Adverse Reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS The most common adverse reactions reported with carbidopa and levodopa have included dyskinesias, such as choreiform, dystonic, and other involuntary movements, and nausea. The following other adverse reactions have been reported with carbidopa and levodopa: Body as a Whole: chest pain, asthenia. Cardiovascular: cardiac irregularities, hypotension, orthostatic effects including orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope, phlebitis, palpitation. Gastrointestinal: dark saliva, gastrointestinal bleeding, development of duodenal ulcer, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, dry mouth, taste alterations. Hematologic: agranulocytosis, hemolytic and non-hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia. Hypersensitivity: angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, Henoch-Schönlein purpura, bullous lesions (including pemphigus-like reactions). Musculoskeletal: back pain, shoulder pain, muscle cramps. Nervous System/Psychiatric: psychotic episodes including delusions, hallucinations, and paranoid ideation, bradykinetic episodes (“on-off” phenomenon), confusion, agitation, dizziness, somnolence, dream abnormalities including nightmares, insomnia, paresthesia, headache, depression with or without development of suicidal tendencies, dementia, pathological gambling, increased libido including hypersexuality, impulse control symptoms, seizures (including convulsions). Respiratory: dyspnea, upper respiratory infection. Skin: rash, increased sweating, alopecia, dark sweat. Urogenital: urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, dark urine. Laboratory Tests: decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit; abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), LDH, bilirubin, BUN, Coombs test; elevated serum glucose; white blood cells, bacteria, and blood in the urine. Other adverse reactions that have been reported with levodopa alone and with various carbidopa and levodopa formulations, and may occur with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets are: Body as a Whole: abdominal pain and distress, fatigue. Cardiovascular: myocardial infarction. Gastrointestinal: gastrointestinal pain, dysphagia, sialorrhea, flatulence, bruxism, burning sensation of the tongue, heartburn, hiccups. Metabolic: edema, weight gain, weight loss. Musculoskeletal: leg pain. Nervous System/Psychiatric: ataxia, extrapyramidal disorder, falling, anxiety, gait abnormalities, nervousness, decreased mental acuity, memory impairment, disorientation, euphoria, blepharospasm (which may be taken as an early sign of excess dosage; consideration of dosage reduction may be made at this time), trismus, increased tremor, numbness, muscle twitching, activation of latent Horner’s syndrome, peripheral neuropathy. Respiratory: pharyngeal pain, cough. Skin: malignant melanoma, flushing. Special Senses: oculogyric crises, diplopia, blurred vision, dilated pupils. Urogenital: urinary retention, urinary incontinence, priapism. Miscellaneous: bizarre breathing patterns, faintness, hoarseness, malaise, hot flashes, sense of stimulation. Laboratory Tests: decreased white blood cell count and serum potassium; increased serum creatinine and uric acid; protein and glucose in urine; decreased vitamin B 6 levels.
Information for Patients
Information for Patients Phenylketonurics Phenylketonuric patients should be informed that carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet contains phenylalanine 1.6 mg per 25 mg/100 mg orally disintegrating tablet, 1.6 mg per 10 mg/100 mg orally disintegrating tablet, and 4 mg per 25 mg/250 mg orally disintegrating tablet. Patients should be instructed not to remove carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets from the bottle until just prior to dosing. With dry hands, the tablet should be gently removed and immediately placed on the tongue to dissolve and be swallowed with the saliva. The patient should be informed that carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablet is an immediate-release formulation of carbidopa and levodopa that is designed to begin release of ingredients within 30 minutes. It is important that carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets be taken at regular intervals according to the schedule outlined by the physician. The patient should be cautioned not to change the prescribed dosage regimen and not to add any additional antiparkinson medications, including other carbidopa and levodopa preparations, without first consulting the physician. Patients should be advised that sometimes a “wearing-off” effect may occur at the end of the dosing interval. The physician should be notified if such response poses a problem to lifestyle. Patients should be advised that occasionally, dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in saliva, urine, or sweat after ingestion of carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Although the color appears to be clinically insignificant, garments may become discolored. The patient should be advised that a change in diet to foods that are high in protein may delay the absorption of levodopa and may reduce the amount taken up in the circulation. Excessive acidity also delays stomach emptying, thus delaying the absorption of levodopa. Iron salts (such as in multivitamin tablets) may also reduce the amount of levodopa available to the body. The above factors may reduce the clinical effectiveness of the levodopa or carbidopa and levodopa therapy. Patients should be alerted to the possibility of sudden onset of sleep during daily activities, in some cases without awareness or warning signs, when they are taking dopaminergic agents, including levodopa. Patients should be advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machinery and that if they have experienced somnolence and/or sudden sleep onset, they must refrain from these activities. (See WARNINGS, Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence.) There have been reports of patients experiencing intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, and other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications that increase central dopaminergic tone and that are generally used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, including carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Although it is not proven that the medications caused these events, these urges were reported to have stopped in some cases when the dose was reduced or the medication was stopped. Prescribers should ask patients about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges or other urges while being treated with carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Patients should inform their physician if they experience new or increased gambling urges, increased sexual urges, or other intense urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Physicians should consider dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges while taking carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets (See PRECAUTIONS, Impulse Control / Compulsive Behaviors). Inform patients that vitamin B 6 deficiency may develop during treatment with carbidopa/levodopa therapies, including carbidopa and levodopa orally disintegrating tablets. Tell patients to inform their healthcare provider if they develop symptoms such as depression, confusion, cheilosis, glossitis, dermatitis, anemia, neuropathy, and/or seizures (See WARNINGS, Vitamin B 6 Deficiency and Seizures).
Clinical data sourced from openFDA drug labeling. For complete prescribing information, consult the full drug label.