Syndopa is a combination medicine prescribed for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease like muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. The active ingredients in Syndopa are Levodopa and Carbidopa.
Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain, a chemical whose low levels cause symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Carbidopa stops the premature breakdown of Levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.
Do not take Syndopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last couple of weeks. You should also not take this medication if you are allergic to Carbidopa, Levodopa, or Entacapone, or if you have narrow angle glaucoma, abnormal skin lesions, or a history of melanoma (skin cancer).
Take Syndopa strictly according to your doctor’s direction or according to the instructions on the medication label. Do not alter the dosage unless your doctor advises you to do so. Also, do not take Syndopa after the prescribed period is over. All medications come with a patient leaflet. Refer the instructions in them for detailed information on that particular medication.
If you miss a dose of Syndopa, take it as soon as you remember. Don’t take the missed dose if the time to take the next dose is almost up. Taking multiple doses near to each other can lead to excess medication in your body which can be harmful.
Some of the common side effects of Syndopa are diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, stomach upset, appetite loss, dry mouth, or sleeping difficulty. Contact your doctor immediately if these side effects don’t subside after some time or worsen. Syndopa may cause saliva, sweat or urine to become dark colored (red, brown, or black). While this is harmless, it may leave stains on your clothing.
Syndopa can cause some serious side effects, however the likelihood of a serious side effect is rare. Some serious side effects include involuntary movements (twitching of the eyelid), fainting or falling, difficulty swallowing, stomach or abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea, vision changes (blurred or double vision), muscle pain, black or tarry stools, mood or behavior changes, hallucinations, or suicidal thoughts.
The side effects mentioned above are not the only ones that you may experience or witness due to Carbidopa and Levodopa. If you get any serious side effects due to this medcine, contact your doctor right away.
