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Carbidopa / levodopa User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Sinemet, Rytary, Duopa, Parcopa, Dhivy Atamet

Carbidopa / levodopa has an average rating of 7.2 out of 10 from a total of 92 reviews on Drugs.com. 64% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 21% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Carbidopa / levodopa

  • Dotties...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 2, 2014

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My mom just celebrated her 1 year anniversary on Sinemet so I wanted to share an update to give anyone newly diagnosed hope. Her dose is now 4 tablets a day (25/100), which she takes at 9:00am, 1:00pm, 5:00pm and 9:00pm. We increased from 3 tablets a day probably around month six, and she's been really doing well since then. No tremors, no obvious rigidity (or any Parkinson's symptoms at all), good appetite. Zero side effects from the Sinemet, which is why I say "celebrated." This is a remarkably effective and very affordable medication. Mom will turn 88 in May. Wishing everyone the success that we have had. God bless."

10 / 10
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  • Dotties...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 28, 2013

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My mom has been on generic Sinemet for 8 weeks, and her improvement is remarkable. She's 86, and until the last 18 months, she had never taken any medication and was energetic and bubbly. She had a dramatic and fast onset of Parkinson's, and prior to starting this medication, she was almost completely debilitated. She looked like she was slowly dying. She lost a lot of weight, was shuffling, stooped in posture, exhausted, and confused. We took her to a neurologist who started the Sinemet slowly over a series of three-day incremental increases, and she started showing improvement almost immediately. She now takes 1 tablet three times a day (25/100). Zero side effects. And, now, two months into this, she's 75% back! It's a miracle!"

10 / 10
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  • deej
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • August 19, 2013

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been on Sinemet for at least 15 years. I have not had to raise the dosage due to augmentation as of yet. This is the very first medicine I tried for restless legs syndrome and it works so well for me I don't feel the need to try the newer medicines. I have had restless legs syndrome since my teens and am now hitting 60."

10 / 10
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153 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Early...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 25, 2020

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "At 44 yrs old I started Rytary 23.5/90 3 pills 3x a day. This was a massive overdose. This caused a Manic(invincable) state. I am NOT Manic depressive. I knew something was wrong, when I was mean, to my wife, who I have never, disrespected before, ever. It took me 40 years to find her and this drug not only removed my impulse control, but also brought out aggressiveness. As a Former US Marine, my self discipline was simply absent. So, I bought a digital scale capable of weight in mg. Most of the capsules weigh 330mg, after removing the gel capsule, most pills contain 240mg of "beads". About 1 in 30 pills have about 50% more, upto 340mg. This pill should contain 118 mg of carbadopa levadopa. What is in the the other 122mg? This explains the unpredictability of Rytary. I now take 1 pill, after checking actual weight at bedtime and I can wake pain free."

2 / 10
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  • Mason...
  • May 14, 2013

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I worked on my feet for 10 years now and developed restless leg about 2 years ago. No one understands what it is until they've encountered it themselves. I am prescribed Sinemet and I love it. I usually only take it when symptoms start (when those legs start a feeling funny). I am very fortunate because I suffer no side effects. I do not get sleepy and it doesn't bother my stomach. I would highly recommend this medication for anyone who is unfortunate enough to suffer from this."

9 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Dotties...
  • July 18, 2013

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I wanted to share an update on my Mom's status with the hope this information helps others. My Mom's been on the Sinemet now for five months. She's still taking 3 tablets a day (25/100)-- one in the morning upon rising; one early afternoon and one in the evening. She's had no side effects that we are aware of, and up until the last three weeks has been really doing well. Now she's starting to have increased fatigue and some confusion-- not terrible, but noticeable. I'm taking to her neurologist in two weeks to see if she needs a small increase in her dose. He said her current dose (1 pill three times a day) is low, and there is room to increase gradually. Mobility is still excellent and tremors are barely there."

10 / 10
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118 Report
  • IceQu...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 9, 2018

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I have been on this medication for 2.5 days. Within the first 6 hours. I had a profound change for better . I felt like I was no longer trying to move my body and mind through jello my mind is clearer and my body feels freer. I feel like I'm back! I am praying that this will continue!"

10 / 10
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More FAQ

  • KevinP
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 13, 2012

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "This has been a God send for me. I have been prescribed carbidopa-levodopa 25/100 for 10 years and am currently 53 (age). While it may affect others differently, I have seen absolutely no side effects. If I am beginning to feel restless legs syndrome, this medicine seems to take about an hour to eliminate the symptoms. Since these symptoms seem to come over me as I relax into the evening, I simply take one in advance and another just before bed. I also take it just before long drives and flights. Works great for me and I hope others may be as fortunate. I tried Requip at one time but it made me groggy."

10 / 10
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  • David...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 4, 2015

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "Been taking Rytary for 5 months. First was on 3 pills 3 times a day and did really well. The last 2 months it has been 3 pills 4 times a day. I have been feeling agitated, nervous, seeing things that are not there and thinking my home is the place I used to work. I am afraid of hurting my wife and have terrible night dreams. I feel I have no where to turn for help. I only see a PA when I go to the doctor and she just gives me more medicine some of which has very serious side effects and has recommended DBS. These symptoms are a daily occurrence and I hope it is not the drug."

8 / 10
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86 Report
  • Banoo...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 12, 2015

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I have been taking Rytary for the last 9 days, and it worked great at night since I was sleep. But it worked about 30%-40% for me as soon as I put something in my mouth. I had a small apple yesterday and took my pills 2 1/2 hours later, and I was stiff, with almost no movement for the next 2 hours. Today I had a very light vegii lunch at noon, took Rytary at 3pm which worked about 30%, and I finally decided to take my Parcopaat 6pm on top of Rytary! I would vote for Rytary at night only."

3 / 10
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75 Report
  • MissL...
  • September 18, 2015

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I am a 63 year old female and have had Parkinson's for 3 years. Sinemet worked well for me but I was beginning to have down time between doses. My neurologist started me on Rytary and I took it for 2 months. Rytary gave me more energy and less downtime between doses but had horrible side effects. I tried adjusting my dosages but no improvement. I was unable to sleep, had nausea and vomiting, lost significant weight, had chills and Ivey hands but sweat ran from my face. My temp after the last dose of the day ran 96.9. Then, I started having chest pains. I take Azilect so that may have caused the Rytary to have a stronger effect. I was in bed most of the day. Switched back to Sinement with doses every 3 hrs and feel great!"

2 / 10
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  • 54 yr...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 14, 2015

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I've been on Rytary for 6 weeks. I take it 3 times a day, 3 pills at each dose. It is unpredictable at times. There are days that I get a full 6 hour benefit without wearing off. But food creates a problem with its effectiveness. There are other times that I'm on an empty stomach, but it does not allow me to have mobility until it kicks in. Other times it kicks in right away, then there's a period not working so well , and then it works again at the 5th hour. I'm really studying all the variables such as my sleep, food intake and stress levels. If I have stress, Rytary ceases to work. Perhaps I need to increase my dose. I'll discuss with my doc this week. But overall it has been much better than Sinemet which gave me 2 1/2 hours."

6 / 10
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  • Eric
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • August 12, 2020

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I started taking Rytary 3 1/2 years ago because the increased doses of Simenet were beginning to cause dyskinesia. For me, it's been terrific! The slow release really works and the dyskinesia happens very seldom and when it happens, it's mild. Since I started, the dose has increased and I have gone from 3x per day to 4x per day. So, it works for me. Many of the other criticisms I have read are simply due to the natural progression of the disease, not to mention certain meds work for some PWP's and not others. It's just like Parkinson's itself, almost everyone experiences different total symptoms. Bottom line, if you respond well to Simenet and the doses are starting to kick in dyskinesia, I highly recommend Rytary."

8 / 10
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  • GrrrB...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 30, 2016

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I have been on Rytary for 10 months. At first it worked well: 2 pills (23.75mg,95mg) 3 times a day with one at bedtime. Since the 6th month I have had INCREASING DYSKINESIA and muscle cramps. In November they were unstoppable and I had to go to the hospital for a relaxant IV. (The ER did not know what the heck to do). I was screaming with pain. I am trying different doses and times but I believe the delivery is defective and uneven. I have no control over the delivery. I do not think my PD disease could have progressed tha t fast in 4 months. I was "stable" and in control on Sinemet. :1/2 S. 25/100 every two hours for a total of 450 to 500 mg a day. I was sleeping well. Now I am bent over, in PAIN, never know how I will be."

4 / 10
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  • Gin...
  • February 23, 2021

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My wife started taking Rytary three weeks ago. Results: able to walk with out tremor in legs, no falling, gained appetite now eating three times a day instead of one, does not sleep all afternoon. Rytary has changed her life dramatically for the better. First improvement she has had in three years. GREAT!!!!!!!"

10 / 10
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  • gar...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 19, 2017

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I took Rytary for approximately 1 month in 2016. The worst experience in the 14 years I have had Parkinson's disease. My Neuro tried different doses at different times of the day, it would only work with Sinemet to help kickstart at first, after about a week it was no longer predictable. Several times I had to crawl because I could not walk, once I got up to go the bathroom but could not cross the threshold and had to urinate on the floor. The last day my Neuro asked me to try 4 capsules at once as a last resort, It was 2 hours before I could get out of bed! I still feel the effects to this day."

1 / 10
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  • Kbsda...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 31, 2016

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My mom was switched to Rytary to decrease off periods. She used to be able to walk one mile. At first the Rytary seemed great, but then her neurologist couldn't get a dose that worked consistently. The manufacturer says absorption is 70%, her Neuro says 50%, but sometimes it was 0% and when we would add some immediate release levodopa, she would get horrible dyskinesia. She could barely walk and we've switched back to old meds with little improvement. I regret ever switching!!"

1 / 10
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  • Noodles
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • June 10, 2020

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have been taking sinemet for many years for restless legs (RLS) and it's the only thing that works. I developed severe RLS after having guillain barre syndrome. None of the home remedies have any effect at all. I have had to increase the dose over time and take a dose at 6pm, 8pm and when going to bed. This gets me thru the night. Sometimes I need to take in the day before a meeting or a long drive or flight etc.."

8 / 10
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30 Report
  • No...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 31, 2017

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My wife was placed on Rytary and was doing fine. We switched doctors, and she was taken off Rytary and was give Sinemet and she went down hill to the point we had to cancel a vacation. We switched her back to Rytary, and will not go back. If you have Parkinson's, try Rytary, you may do much better."

8 / 10
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41 Report
  • TheRe...
  • March 2, 2021

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My father was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease over 20yrs ago (currently 71yrs old). He has a DBS, suffers from dyskinesia, tremors, and gait. He’s been on 245mg of Rytary 5 times a day for the past year. He’s had an unbelievably great response to Rytary (very little dyskinesia, minor tremors, and almost no gait issues for the past 12 months). This drug has changed his life and I’m very thank for it."

10 / 10
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  • andy
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • October 28, 2019

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "I have been using Rytary for a year. 1 pill 6 times a day. The past 2 months I have had hallucinations, falling asleep at breakfast and all during the day. Not able to function very well, falling asleep with hot or cold drinks in my hand and not knowing I was spilling liquid everywhere. The hallucinations are very real and vivid and frightening. Rytary is not helping me physically at all? Up until 2 months ago it was great and now it has turned against me!"

3 / 10
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30 Report
  • Woose
  • March 19, 2018

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "It stops tremors in its tracks I know bc I have Parkinson’s like symptoms and about 4 years ago I had started the tremors or shakes and my ex wife now made an appointment for me with a neurologist and he had prescribed me sinemet 25/100s three times daily but I still had a little tremor in my hands so he added one more pill per day to my regimen of three per day to four per day and that’s when the tremors stopped completely!!!"

10 / 10
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  • Tom...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 3, 2017

For Restless Legs Syndrome "RLS is horrible. My legs were jumping like an acrobat. Sometimes, during the day my legs would give out. My neurologist prescribed 25/100 - 3Xpd. It was a miracle drug. Stopped RLS immediately. But I had other problems. Body hurt all over and was stiff. Muscles were weak. My legs were heavy and it was hard to walk. However, the 25/100 fixed it all. I feel great! Have more energy and getting stronger every day. Cutting down on pain meds and at 68 I have a wonderful and new quality of life. I've only been taking it for 2 weeks and I am so thankful. I now sleep 100 percent better. The dose only works around 7-8 hours. I take it every 8 hours. I take it at 8:00pm and I wake up around 3-4:00am with symptoms starting again. Takes 30 min to work."

10 / 10
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  • Amy...
  • February 20, 2012

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have had restless legs syndrome for years due to iron deficiency. I took Sinemet for about a year and it seemed to work great for me. However, I could not take the full or even half of the dose because it really made me feel drowzy the following day so I would break it up and take a very small piece of the pill. Also, if you don't go to bed after taking it and stay up for a while, it can have the adverse effect on you. Makes you really sleepy, but make your restless legs symptoms worse. Good Luck!"

8 / 10
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60 Report
  • Kampret
  • January 20, 2012

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I suffer from restless legs syndrome since 14 years ago and been taking Sinemet since. The only medication that works for me but only lasts for 2 to 3 hours then need to take again. For about nearly 2 years I came to realize that after eating food or drink contain msg/monosodiom glutamate - 621,627 which will contribute my suffering so if I eat less of this and will be less suffering. "

8 / 10
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56 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.