Carbidopa / levodopa and Anger: What Users Say

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

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."

• Gig...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

Carbidopa / levodopa for Parkinson's Disease "I never took illegal drugs, but my experience was like I heard when people took LSD. I had horrid hallucinatory dreams, sweating, depression, increased anger, lack of impulsive control, weight gain, all within two weeks. Having Parkinson's is better than the side effects I had with this drug."

• KMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2021

Carbidopa / levodopa for Parkinson's Disease "My father started Rytary 48.75-195 dosage, 3 pills, 4 times a day. He got worse with this medication. I personally think he was overmedicated by his doctor. He hadn't experienced dyskinesia yet, and within the second day of Rytary, it was so bad we were worried he would break his teeth due to how he was tightening his jaw and grinding his teeth. He had only experienced psychosis twice within his 10-year diagnosis, and every single day he was suffering from psychosis; irritable, argumentative, paranoid, angry, and extremely sensitive when he would talk about his past. Almost as if his personality had completely changed with Rytary. I'm not sure if he will continue it because he's gotten worse mentally and emotionally. It's a lot for us, caregivers. Physically, he's walking better and sleeping a tad better. I think Rytary needs to require a psychological exam before being prescribed this medication for Parkinson's."

• Hor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 1, 2023

For Parkinson's Disease "My husband was on carbidopa/levodopa for about 3 months. Last month, he experienced anger, depression, and much confusion. This has set him back. He was taken off this medication, and I am unsure if he will get back to where he was before starting this medication—terrible experience."