Sinemet CR

Drug Description
font size

SINEMET® CR
(carbidopa-levodopa) Sustained Release Tablets

DRUG DESCRIPTION

SINEMET CR (Carbidopa-Levodopa) is a sustained-release combination of carbidopa and levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and syndrome.

Carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 244.3. It is designated chemically as (—)-L-α­hydrazino- α -methyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid monohydrate. Its empirical formula is C10H14N2O4•H2O and its structural formula is:

Carbidopa structural formula illustration

Tablet content is expressed in terms of anhydrous carbidopa, which has a molecular weight of 226.3.

Levodopa, an aromatic amino acid, is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 197.2. It is designated chemically as (—)-L-α β (3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid. Its empirical formula is C9H11NO4 and its structural formula is:

Levodopa structural formula illustration

SINEMET CR is supplied as sustained-release tablets containing either 50 mg of carbidopa and 200 mg of levodopa, or 25 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa. Inactive ingredients: hydroxypropyl cellulose, polyvinylacetate-crotonic acid copolymer, magnesium stearate and red ferric oxide. SINEMET CR 50-200 also contains D&C Yellow 10.

The 50-200 tablet is supplied as an oval, scored, biconvex, compressed tablet that is peach colored. The 25-100 tablet is supplied as an oval, biconvex, compressed tablet that is pink colored. The SINEMET CR tablet is a polymeric-based drug delivery system that controls the release of carbidopa and levodopa as it slowly erodes. SINEMET CR 25-100 is available to facilitate titration and as an alternative to the half-tablet of SINEMET CR 50-200.

Last updated on RxList: 2/19/2009

Sinemet CR User Reviews

Now you can gain knowledge and insight about a drug treatment with Patient Discussions.

Here is a collection of user reviews for the medication Sinemet CR sorted by most helpful. Patient Discussions FAQs


Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Bookmark this page:

WebMD Daily

Get breaking medical news.

Exercise and Parkinson's Exercise and Parkinson's
While researchers chase a cure, patients wonder what will help now. Getting moving is one answer.See more WebMD Videos »