Description

What is Sinemet?

Sinemet is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. Parkinson’s disease may be caused by low levels of a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain.

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

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Sinemet if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use Sinemet if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attack;
• liver or kidney disease;
• an endocrine (hormonal) disorder;
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
• a stomach or intestinal ulcer;
• open-angle glaucoma; or
• depression, mental illness, or psychosis.

Side effects of Sinemets Tablets

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• worsening of tremors (uncontrolled shaking);
• severe or ongoing vomiting or diarrhea;
• confusion, hallucinations, unusual changes in mood or behavior;
• depression or suicidal thoughts; or
• severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Some people taking Sinemet have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may cause staining of your clothes or bed sheets.

Common side effects may include:

• jerky or twisting muscle movements;
• headache, dizziness;
• low blood pressure (feeling light-headed);
• sleep problems, strange dreams;
• dry mouth;
• muscle contractions; or
• nausea, vomiting, constipation.