Carbidopa / levodopa User Reviews & Ratings

• 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 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm, and 9:00 pm. 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."

• 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!"

• 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."

• 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 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."

• 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 talking 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."

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

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "At 44 years old, I started Rytary 23.5/90, 3 pills 3 times a day. This was a massive overdose. This caused a manic (invincible) state. I am NOT manic-depressive. I knew something was wrong when I was mean to my wife, whom 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 weighing in mg. Most of the capsules weigh 330 mg, after removing the gel capsule, most pills contain 240 mg of 'beads.' About 1 in 30 pills have about 50% more, up to 340 mg. This pill should contain 118 mg of carbidopa levodopa. What is in the other 122 mg? This explains the unpredictability of Rytary. I now take 1 pill after checking the actual weight at bedtime, and I can wake pain-free."

• 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 the 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!"

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

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "This has been a godsend 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."

• 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 nowhere 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."

• 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 sleeping. 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 veggie lunch at noon, took Rytary at 3 PM which worked about 30%, and I finally decided to take my Parcopa at 6 PM on top of Rytary! I would vote for Rytary at night only."

• 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 downtime 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 my hands were shaky but sweat ran from my face. My temperature after the last dose of the day was 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 Sinemet with doses every 3 hours and feel great!"

• 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."

• 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 Sinemet 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 Sinemet and the doses are starting to kick in dyskinesia, I highly recommend Rytary."

• 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 (23.75 mg, 95 mg) 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 Parkinson's disease could have progressed that 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 knowing how I will be."

• 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 neurologist 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 to the bathroom but could not cross the threshold and had to urinate on the floor. The last day my neurologist 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."

• 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!!"

• Gin...
• February 23, 2021

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "My wife started taking Rytary three weeks ago. Results: able to walk without 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!!!!!!!"

• 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-Barré 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 6 PM, 8 PM, and when going to bed. This gets me through the night. Sometimes I need to take it in the day before a meeting or a long drive or flight, etc."

• 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."

• 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 given Sinemet, and she went downhill 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."

• Woose
• March 19, 2018

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's Disease "It stops tremors in its tracks. I know because I have Parkinson’s-like symptoms, and about four years ago, I had started the tremors or shakes. My ex-wife now made an appointment for me with a neurologist, and he 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!!!"

• 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, 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!"

• 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 drowsy 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 makes your restless legs symptoms worse. Good luck!"

• 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 - 3X per day. It was a miracle drug. Stopped RLS immediately. But I had other problems. My body hurt all over and was stiff. My muscles were weak. My legs were heavy, and it was hard to walk. However, the 25/100 fixed it all. I feel great! I have more energy and am 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 8:00 PM, and I wake up around 3-4:00 AM with symptoms starting again. It takes 30 minutes to work."

• Kampret
• January 20, 2012

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) for Restless Legs Syndrome "I have suffered from restless legs syndrome for 14 years and have been taking Sinemet since. The only medication that works for me, but it only lasts for 2 to 3 hours, then I need to take it again. For nearly 2 years, I have come to realize that after eating food or drink containing MSG/monosodium glutamate - 621, 627, it contributes to my suffering. So, if I eat less of this, I will suffer less."