Drug Information Paper: Levodopa/Carbidopa: Sinemet
Kristin Curcione
Daemen College

This drug information report will explore in detail the medication Levodopa. Levodopa is the most effective drug for the symptomatic treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa works when it is absorbed in the blood from the small intestine and travels through blood to the brain where it is converted to dopamine (Parkkinen, O'Sullivan, Kuoppamäki, et al., 2011). It is intended for the purpose of treating chronic neurodegenerative diseases. It is primarily used in neurology practice for patients who are experiencing idiopathic Lewy body degenerative disease of the central nervous system. This paper will also discuss use of Carbidopa as it is used …show more content…
Levodopa has a plasma half-life of approximately fifty minutes, in the absence of carbidopa. When carbidopa and levodopa are administered together, the half-life of levodopa is augmented to about 1.5 hours. At the steady state, the bioavailability of the combination drug Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) tablets is approximately 99% relative to the concomitant administration of carbidopa and levodopa (WebMD, …show more content…
One vital contraindication with Sinemet is the use of nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. MAOI’s have to be withdrawn for a minimum of two weeks prior to initiating therapy with Sinemet (Brenner & Stevens, 2013). Patients who are taking MAOI’s need to consult with their provider prior to starting Sinemet as harmful and life-threatening adverse events could occur when used in combination. Patient with narrow-angle glaucoma or have had a previous hypersensitivity to this drug or a similar compound should not use Sinemet in the treatment of their PD (WebMD, 2015). Additionally, patient with a history of melanoma or undiagnosed skin lesions should refrain from taking Sinemet as it have shown in studies to activate malignant