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Drug Interactions between levodopa and Nephro Calci

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Minor

levodopa calcium carbonate

Applies to: levodopa and Nephro Calci (calcium carbonate)

Antacids and some oral aluminum, calcium, or magnesium containing preparations may increase the absorption of levodopa. The mechanisms may be related to increased gastric pH and/or decreased gastric emptying time, resulting in less gastric degradation of levodopa and more levodopa absorption from the small intestine. This effect may be beneficial in some patients, but also difficult to predict and monitor. For most patients, this interaction is not clinically significant and no specific intervention would be required. Dosing intervals could be spaced by at least 2 hours if it is preferred to avoid this interaction.

References

  1. Rivera-Calimlin L, Dujovne CA, Morgan JP, Lasagna L, Bianchine JR (1970) "L-dopa treatment failure: explanation and correction." Br Med J, 4, p. 93-4
  2. Rivera-Calimlim L, Dujovne CA, Morgan JP, Lasagna L, Bianchine JR (1971) "Absorption and metabolism of L-dopa by the human stomach." Eur J Clin Invest, 1, p. 313-20
  3. Fermaglich J, O'Dougherty DS (1972) "Effect of gastric motility on levodopa." Dis Nerv Syst, 33, p. 624-5
  4. (2001) "Product Information. Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa)." DuPont Pharmaceuticals
View all 4 references

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

levodopa food

Applies to: levodopa

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of levodopa. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MONITOR: Limited clinical data suggest that high protein content in the diet may reduce or cause fluctuations in the clinical response to oral and enteral formulations of levodopa in patients with Parkinson's disease. Proposed mechanisms include delayed gastric emptying, decreased levodopa absorption when taken with a protein rich diet, and competition with certain amino acids for transport across the gut wall and/or the blood brain barrier. Data have been conflicting. Clinical studies have variously reported no effect, reduced levodopa absorption with low-protein meals, reduced effects of oral and enteral formulations of levodopa with high daily protein intake, and no differences compared to fasting with high-protein meals. Neuroleptic malignant-like symptoms were reported in a patient with Parkinson's disease who was receiving pramipexole, entacapone, and immediate-release levodopa/carbidopa, after the protein content of his enteral feedings via nasogastric tube was increased from 0.88 g/kg/day to 1.8 g/kg/day; symptoms improved after the protein was reduced to 1 g/kg/day and bromocriptine was administered. Another patient receiving immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa, pramipexole, and entacapone experienced severe rigidity after initiation of continuous enteral nutrition via oral gastric tube containing 1.4 g/kg/day of protein; his Parkinsonian symptoms improved after the protein content was reduced to 0.9 g/kg/day, the feeding was changed to bolus feedings, and the levodopa was administered between boluses.

MANAGEMENT: In general, alcohol consumption should be avoided or limited during treatment with CNS-depressant agents. Until more data are available, it is advisable to avoid large fluctuations in daily protein intake and to monitor patients for altered effects of oral and enteral levodopa formulations if the protein content of the diet is increased.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Wohlt PD, Zheng L, Gunderson S, Balzar SA, Johnson BD, Fish JT (2009) "Recommendations for the use of medications with continuous enteral nutrition." Am J Health Syst Pharm, 66, p. 1438-67
  3. (2022) "Product Information. Duopa (carbidopa-levodopa)." AbbVie US LLC
  4. (2021) "Product Information. Duodopa (carbidopa-levodopa)." AbbVie Pty Ltd, 18
  5. (2023) "Product Information. Vyalev (foscarbidopa-foslevodopa)." AbbVie Corporation
  6. (2022) "Product Information. Dhivy (carbidopa-levodopa)." Avion Pharmaceuticals
View all 6 references

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Moderate

calcium carbonate food

Applies to: Nephro Calci (calcium carbonate)

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: Administration with food may increase the absorption of calcium. However, foods high in oxalic acid (spinach or rhubarb), or phytic acid (bran and whole grains) may decrease calcium absorption.

MANAGEMENT: Calcium may be administered with food to increase absorption. Consider withholding calcium administration for at least 2 hours before or after consuming foods high in oxalic acid or phytic acid.

References

  1. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  2. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."
  4. Agencia EspaƱola de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios Healthcare (2008) Centro de informaciĆ³n online de medicamentos de la AEMPS - CIMA. https://cima.aemps.es/cima/publico/home.html
  5. Mangels AR (2014) "Bone nutrients for vegetarians." Am J Clin Nutr, 100, epub
  6. Davies NT (1979) "Anti-nutrient factors affecting mineral utilization." Proc Nutr Soc, 38, p. 121-8
View all 6 references

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Moderate

levodopa food

Applies to: levodopa

ADJUST DOSING INTERVAL: The oral bioavailability and pharmacologic effects of levodopa and carbidopa may be decreased during concurrent administration with iron-containing products. The proposed mechanism is chelation of levodopa and carbidopa by the iron cation, forming an insoluble complex that is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. In nine patients with Parkinson's disease, administration of levodopa-carbidopa 100 mg-25 mg with ferrous sulfate 325 mg decreased levodopa peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by 47% and 30%, respectively, and carbidopa Cmax and AUC by 77% and 82%, respectively, compared to administration with placebo. There was also evidence of reduced efficacy of levodopa in some patients. In another study consisting of eight healthy subjects, coadministration of levodopa 250 mg with ferrous sulfate 325 mg resulted in greater than 50% reductions in the Cmax and AUC of levodopa compared to administration of levodopa alone. The magnitude of the interaction was the greatest in patients whose plasma levels of levodopa were the highest following administration of levodopa alone.

MANAGEMENT: Until more information is available, patients receiving levodopa and/or carbidopa in combination with iron-containing products should be advised to separate the times of administration by as much as possible. Patients should be monitored for reduced efficacy of levodopa, and the dosage adjusted as necessary.

References

  1. Campbell NR, Hasinoff B (1989) "Ferrous sulfate reduces levodopa bioavailability: chelation as a possible mechanism." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 45, p. 220-5
  2. Campbell NR, Hasinoff BB (1991) "Iron supplements: a common cause of drug interactions." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 31, p. 251-5
  3. Campbell NR, Rankine D, Goodridge AE, Hasinoff BB, Kara M (1990) "Sinemet-ferrous sulphate interaction in patients with Parkinson's disease." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 30, p. 599-605
  4. Greene RJ, Hall AD, Hider RC (1990) "The interaction of orally administered iron with levodopa and methyldopa therapy." J Pharm Pharmacol, 42, p. 502-4
View all 4 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.


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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.