Levodopa

Generic Name : Levodopa

TradeName : Bidopal, Levopa

Why it is prescribed (Indications) : Levodopa relieves some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including tremors, Stiffness, and slowness of movement. It also may improve your gait, posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhoea (oily, crusty, scaly skin). Levodopa also is used to relieve bone pain caused by cancer and to control pain caused by shingles.

When it is to be taken : Levodopa, usually is taken several times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully. You may have to take Levodopa for several months before you feel its full effects.

How it should be taken :
1. Levodopa comes in the form of tablets and capsules.
2. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.
3. Your doctor may instruct you to take a small amount at first and then to increase your dose gradually to all

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your doctor can monitor your response to this drug. Your dose may need to be adjusted frequently, especially when you first take Levodopa.
2. You probably will have periodic blood and urine tests to check how the drug is affecting you.
3. Take Levodopa exactly as your doctor has directed. Do not take more or less of it or to take it more or less often than as instructed.
4. Levodopa can lose its effect completely over time or only at certain times during the day.
5. Contact your doctor if your Parkinson’s disease symptoms (shaking, stiffness, and slowness of movement) worsen or vary in severity.
6. As your condition improves and it is easier for you to move, be careful not to overdo physical activities. Increase your activity gradually to avoid falls and injuries.
7.Special dietary instructions should be followed. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) counteracts the effect of levodopa. Do not eat excessive amounts of foods containing vitamin B6 e.g., liver, fish , whole-grani cereals, peas, and beans.
8. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take up for a missed dose.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. Take Levodopa with food. If these problems persist, contact your doctor.
2. Decreased attention span, memory loss, nervousness, nightmares, insomnia, headaches, weakness, dark-coloured sweat, increased sweating, fatigue. If these effects are bothersome, contact your doctor.
3. Dizziness, lighteadedness, and faintness when arising from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly. Contact your doctor if these effects persist.
4. Abnormal and uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face, head, neck, arms, and legs; difficulty walking, especially starting to walk; increased shaking of the hands; back and neck muscle spasms; palpitations; rapid heartbeat. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take loveodopa; tell your doctor you entire medical history, especially if you have asthma; emphysema; lung, kidney, liver, heart, or blood vessel disease; skin cancer; hormone problems; mental illness; diabetes; glaucoma; or a history of ulcers, heart attacks, or seizures.
2. Before you take Levodopa, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you are allergic to aspirin or tartazine.
3. Before you take Levodopa, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially MAO (monoaminooxidase) inhibitors like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine, even if you stopped taking them in the last two weeks; medication for depression or high blood pressure; diazepam; chlordiazepoxide; benztropine; trihexyphenidy; papaverine; phenytoin; and tranquilizers.
4. Do not take vitamin preparation, especially vitamin B6 unless your doctor directs you to do so.
5. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor that you take levodopa.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medicaion in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and excess heat and moisture.