Stalevo (Active ingredients: levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone) is an oral medication that combines levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone in one film-coated tablet, prescribed to treat people with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease results from the degeneration of neurons in a small part of the brain that controls the body’s movements. These neurons produce dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in controlling movement and coordination. As these neurons deteriorate, dopamine levels decrease, leading to the symptoms of movement disorders commonly associated with Parkinson’s Disease (see under Indications). Levodopa (L-DOPA) is a precursor to dopamine and is required to increase its levels in people with Parkinson’s. Carbidopa inhibits the conversion of levodopa into dopamine before it reaches the neurons. This allows dopamine to build up solely in the brain. Entacapone is a COMT inhibitor that slows down the consumption of dopamine and so enhances the action of levodopa by reducing the end-of-dose “wearing off” of the medication. Most commonly, levodopa and carbidopa are prescribed to boost the production of dopamine in patients with specific symptoms. The therapeutic efficacy of levodopa is different for different kinds of symptoms. Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and muscle rigidity are the most responsive to levodopa, while tremors are less responsive. Speech, swallowing disorders, and balance problems are only minimally responsive symptoms. Dosage The dosage and frequency should be as prescribed by the doctor. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Consult a doctor or pharmacist if you think the effect of the medicine is too strong or too weak or if you experience side effects. If it is suspected that an overdose was taken, or if a child has accidentally swallowed the medicine, immediately refer to a doctor or proceed to a hospital emergency room and take along the package of the medicine. The symptoms of overdose may include feeling confused or agitated, an erratic heart rate, or changes in the color of skin, tongue, eyes, or urine.
Brand Manufacturer: Novartis
Side Effects: Information on this website does not replace talking with your healthcare professionals. Doctors prescribe this medication because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risk of side effects. There are some relatively common and mild side effects, including: uncontrolled movements (dyskinesias) nausea discoloration of urine muscle pain diarrhea. light-headedness or fainting due to changes in blood pressure worsening of Parkinson’s symptoms dizziness, drowsiness abdominal pain and discomfort, heartburn, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation sleep disturbances mental changes shortness of breath increased sweating, rashes muscle cramps, swelling of legs blurred vision anemia decreased appetite and weight loss headaches joint pain urinary tract infection. If these persist or worsen, consult with a doctor or pharmacist. There are some rare but serious side effects. Someone taking Stalevo may feel their muscles getting rigid or jerking violently, feel agitated or confused, run a fever with a rapid pulse, or have wide fluctuations in their blood pressure. These may be symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS,) a rare severe reaction to medicines used to treat disorders of the central nervous system or rhabdomyolysis (a rare severe muscle disorder). There can also be an allergic reaction, with hives, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulties in breathing or swallowing. Immediately stop taking Stalevo and go to an emergency care center. Tell them when Stalevo was last taken and in what dose. Please read the manufacturer’s Product Insert that comes with the medication. Not all side effects are listed here. Consult a healthcare provider if you experience these or other unexpected effects.
Indication: Parkinson’s Disease is a condition resulting from the degeneration of neurons in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia, which controls the body’s movements. The degeneration decreases the level of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which has a vital role in message signaling in the brain. Dopamine has a crucial role in controlling movement and coordination. As dopamine levels progressively decrease, the symptoms of movement disorders commonly associated with Parkinson’s Disease worsen. Parkinson’s Disease typically starts with subtle symptoms such as: Tremors, usually starting in one hand but progressing to affect the extremities Slowness of movement (bradykinesia) shows up as a reduction in spontaneous movement. Muscle rigidity and stiffness in the limbs. Postural instability and balance problems lead to an increased risk of falls. There are no specific blood tests, imaging, or other routine tests to detect Parkinson’s. A clinical diagnosis primarily is based on medical history, assessment of motor skills, balance, coordination, and reflexes, and a neurological examination, and sometimes treatment with Stalevo starts to see whether it does relieve symptoms, in which case the diagnosis may be more certain. A more complex specialized imaging test that looks at the dopamine in the brain (DaTscan) may be necessary if a final diagnosis can’t be reached.
