Dopar Side Effects

Generic name: levodopa

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 23, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about levodopa. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Dopar.

Applies to levodopa: inhalation capsule.

Serious side effects of Dopar

Along with its needed effects, levodopa (the active ingredient contained in Dopar) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levodopa:

More common

Body aches or pain
chills
cough
difficulty in breathing
ear congestion
fever
headache
loss of voice
sneezing
sore throat
stuffy or runny nose
unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
cough producing mucus
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
muscle aches
sneezing
sweating
tightness in the chest
twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

Other side effects of Dopar

Some side effects of levodopa may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Discolored sputum or nasal discharge
falls
mouth or throat pain
nausea
pain in the arms or legs
skin scraping or tearing
trouble sleeping
vomiting

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to levodopa: compounding powder, inhalation capsule, oral capsule, oral tablet.

General

The more commonly occurring adverse reactions have included cough, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and discolored sputum.^[Ref]

Respiratory

In a crossover clinical study in subjects with mild or moderate asthma on a stable regimen of asthma medication (n=25), patients received orally inhaled drug 84 mg every 4 hours for a total of 3 doses and placebo. Cough was reported by 60% of subjects following drug administration compared with 0% following placebo. Ten subjects (40%) had temporary FEV1 reductions from baseline (between 15% and 59%), and 4 of these subjects also had a reduction in FEV1 following placebo. Subjects with a reduction in FEV1 remained asymptomatic and did not require rescue treatment.

Very common (10% or more): Cough (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Discolored sputum, nasal discharge discoloration, oropharyngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, bronchitis/pneumonia

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dyskinesia, headache

Frequency not reported: Falling asleep during activities of daily living, somnolence

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting

Psychiatric

During clinical trials, hallucinations were reported in less than 2% of patients receiving orally inhaled levodopa (the active ingredient contained in Dopar)

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Frequency not reported: Hallucinations

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest discomfort, orthostatic hypotension/blood pressure decreased

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Laceration, skin abrasion

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood bilirubin

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased red blood cell count

Other

Fever, altered consciousness, autonomic dysfunction and muscle rigidity are the hallmarks of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is associated with a case fatality rate of about 20%. If withdrawal of dopaminergic therapy is suspected as the cause of NMS, dopaminergic therapy should be restarted. If a neuroleptic agent is suspected as the cause, the neuroleptic agent should be immediately discontinued. For patients with NMS suspected to be due to neuroleptic therapy, consideration should be given to dantrolene (or bromocriptine) administration. Intensive monitoring and supportive care are indicated for all patients with NMS.

Common (1% to 10%): Fall