Duopa vs. Sinemet

Duopa (carbidopa and levodopa) and Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) both contain an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid used to treat motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Sinemet is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Side effects of Duopa and Sinemet that are similar include nausea, constipation, dizziness, sleep problems, skin rash, and diarrhea.

Side effects of Duopa that are different from Sinemet include complication of device insertion, incision site redness, depression, swelling of legs and feet, high blood pressure, upper respiratory tract infection, mouth and throat pain, involuntary muscle movements, confusion, anxiety, fever, and indigestion.

Side effects of Sinemet that are different from Duopa include drowsiness, blurred vision, vomiting, dry mouth, loss of appetite, heartburn, sneezing, stuffy nose, cough, other cold symptoms, muscle pain, numbness or tingly feeling, itching, and headache.

Both Duopa and Sinemet may interact with metoclopramide, isoniazid, blood pressure medications, and papaverine.

Duopa may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, iron salts or multi-vitamins containing iron salts, and high protein diets.

Sinemet may also interact with other Parkinson's medications, phenytoin, antidepressants, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Duopa or Sinemet.

Common side effects of Duopa include:

• complication of device insertion,
• nausea,
• depression,
• swelling of legs and feet,
• high blood pressure,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• mouth and throat pain,
• incision site redness,
• constipation,
• involuntary muscle movements,
• confusion,
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• sleep problems,
• fever,
• rash,
• diarrhea, and
• indigestion

Common side effects of Sinemet include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• blurred vision,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dry mouth,
• loss of appetite,
• heartburn,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• sneezing,
• stuffy nose,
• cough,
• other cold symptoms,
• muscle pain,
• numbness or tingly feeling,
• trouble sleeping (insomnia or strange dreams),
• skin rash,
• itching,
• and headache.

• greatly increased eye blinking/twitching,
• fainting,
• mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, depression, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide),
• unusual strong urges (such as increased gambling, increased sexual urges),
• or worsening of involuntary movements/spasms.

Duopa (carbidopa and levodopa) is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid used to treat motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.

Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa) is a combination of an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation and an aromatic amino acid used to treat Parkinson symptoms such as

• muscle stiffness,
• tremors,
• spasms,
• and poor muscle control.

Duopa may interact with MAO inhibitors, high blood pressure medications, phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide, papaverine, isoniazid, iron salts or multi-vitamins containing iron salts, and high protein diets. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Sinemet may interact with other Parkinson's medications, metoclopramide, isoniazid, phenytoin, papaverine, blood pressure medication, antidepressants, or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders. Tell your doctor all medications you use.

The maximum recommended daily dose of Duopa is 2000 mg of the levodopa component (i.e., one cassette per day) administered over 16 hours.

Starting dosage is one tablet of Sinemet 25-100 (carbidopa-levodopa) three times a day. Dosage may be increased by one tablet every day or every other day, as necessary, until a dosage of eight tablets a day is reached.