Can you take Stalevo with Valsartan?

Valsartan has a major potential interaction with Angioedema.

The use of these agents is contraindicated in patients with a history of angioedema related to previous angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) therapy or in patients with hereditary angioedema. Patients with a history of angioedema unrelated to these agents may be at increased risk of angioedema while receiving angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists. Patients should be advised to immediately report any signs or symptoms suggestive of angioedema (swelling of face, extremities, eyes, lips, or tongue, or difficulty swallowing or breathing) and to stop taking the medication until otherwise directed by their physician. Emergency therapy and/or measures to prevent airway obstruction are required for angioedema involving the tongue, glottis, or larynx. Treatment with angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists should be discontinued permanently if angioedema develops in association with therapy.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Asthma.

Because of the risk of bronchospasm, use of levodopa in patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic underlying lung disease is not recommended.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Biliary Obstruction.

Valsartan is primarily eliminated by biliary excretion, and a minority is excreted in the urine. Dosage adjustments are not necessary in patients with renal impairment unless they are also volume-depleted, in which case therapy should be initiated under medical supervision. Likewise, patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction generally do not require a dosage adjustment. The manufacturer recommends administering valsartan therapy with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or liver function, particularly if these conditions are severe.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Cardiovascular Conditions and Disorders.

Cardiac irregularities occur infrequently in patients on dopamine agonists. The initial administration and titration is recommended to occur under close cardiac monitoring in a facility equipped for intensive cardiac care. Adverse cardiac affects may include palpitation, sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia, extrasystole, atrial flutter or fibrillation, or block of AV conduction.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with COPD.

Because of the risk of bronchospasm, use of levodopa in patients with asthma, COPD, or other chronic underlying lung disease is not recommended.

Valsartan has a major potential interaction with Dehydration.

Angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists can cause symptomatic hypotension in patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- and/or sodium-depleted patients. Therapy with AR antagonists should be administered cautiously in such patients and in those predisposed to hypovolemic or hyponatremic states (e.g., patients on diuretic therapy, especially if high doses were used or if recently instituted; those on dietary salt restriction; renal dialysis patients). Volume and/or sodium depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy with AR antagonists, and the patient should be hemodynamically stable. Ideally, patients at risk for excessive hypotension should initiate AR antagonist therapy under close medical supervision, preferably with a lower dose, and followed closely for the first 2 weeks of treatment and whenever the dosage of AR antagonist or diuretic is increased.

The carbidopa in Stalevo has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.

Caution and observation is recommended when treating patients with carbidopa, as depression with concomitant suicidal tendencies may develop or be exacerbated.

Valsartan has a major potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

The coadministration of some angiotensin II receptor blocker agents with aliskiren is contraindicated in patients with diabetes.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a moderate potential interaction with Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage.

The use of levodopa, especially in combinations with carbidopa, has been associated with an increase in the frequency of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease or gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

The carbidopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Glaucoma, Narrow Angle.

Carbidopa-levodopa products are contraindicated in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Glaucoma/Intraocular Hypertension.

The use of levodopa is contraindicated in patients with acute closed-angle glaucoma. Levodopa (with or without carbidopa) may be used in patients with open-angle glaucoma who are receiving appropriate therapy.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Failure.

Angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists can cause renal impairment in patients whose renal function depends on the activity of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In addition, symptomatic hypotension can occur in susceptible individuals, which may compromise renal and myocardial perfusion. In patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF), treatment with AR antagonists has been associated with oliguria and/or progressive azotemia and, rarely, renal failure, myocardial ischemia, and death. Therapy with AR antagonists should be initiated cautiously in patients with severe CHF, especially when accompanied by volume and/or sodium depletion. In patients who experience a decline in renal function, discontinuation of AR antagonist therapy is usually not required provided there is symptomatic improvement of the heart failure and renal deterioration is well-tolerated. Transient hypotension is also not a contraindication to further treatment with AR antagonists, since therapy can usually be reinstated without difficulty after blood pressure stabilizes.

Valsartan has a major potential interaction with Hemodialysis.

Angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists can cause symptomatic hypotension in patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- and/or sodium-depleted patients. Therapy with AR antagonists should be administered cautiously in such patients and in those predisposed to hypovolemic or hyponatremic states (e.g., patients on diuretic therapy, especially if high doses were used or if recently instituted; those on dietary salt restriction; renal dialysis patients). Volume and/or sodium depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy with AR antagonists, and the patient should be hemodynamically stable. Ideally, patients at risk for excessive hypotension should initiate AR antagonist therapy under close medical supervision, preferably with a lower dose, and followed closely for the first 2 weeks of treatment and whenever the dosage of AR antagonist or diuretic is increased.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperkalemia.

Drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin, such as angiotensin II receptor antagonist system can cause hyperkalemia. Concomitant use of these agents with drugs that increase potassium levels may increase the risk of hyperkalemia. Use caution when using these agents together and monitor serum potassium periodically.

Valsartan has a major potential interaction with Hyponatremia.

Angiotensin II receptor (AR) antagonists can cause symptomatic hypotension in patients with an activated renin-angiotensin system, such as volume- and/or sodium-depleted patients. Therapy with AR antagonists should be administered cautiously in such patients and in those predisposed to hypovolemic or hyponatremic states (e.g., patients on diuretic therapy, especially if high doses were used or if recently instituted; those on dietary salt restriction; renal dialysis patients). Volume and/or sodium depletion should be corrected prior to initiating therapy with AR antagonists, and the patient should be hemodynamically stable. Ideally, patients at risk for excessive hypotension should initiate AR antagonist therapy under close medical supervision, preferably with a lower dose, and followed closely for the first 2 weeks of treatment and whenever the dosage of AR antagonist or diuretic is increased.

The carbidopa, entacapone and levodopa in Stalevo all have a moderate potential interaction with Hypotension.

Dopamine agonists may impair the systemic regulation of blood pressure, with resultant orthostatic hypotension at any time, but especially during dose escalation. Additionally, patients with Parkinson's disease may have an impaired capacity to respond to an orthostatic challenge. For these reasons, patients with Parkinson's disease (or restless legs syndrome) who are being treated with dopaminergic agonists typically require careful monitoring for signs/symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, especially during dose escalation, and should be advised of this risk.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

The pharmacokinetics of levodopa have not been studied in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with liver or disease. Periodic monitoring of hepatic and renal function is recommended during extended therapy.

The entacapone in Stalevo has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Entacapone should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment, as the AUC and Cmax of the drug approximately doubled in patients with documented liver disease compared to patients with normal liver function.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Valsartan is primarily eliminated by biliary excretion, and a minority is excreted in the urine. Dosage adjustments are not necessary in patients with renal impairment unless they are also volume-depleted, in which case therapy should be initiated under medical supervision. Likewise, patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction generally do not require a dosage adjustment. The manufacturer recommends administering valsartan therapy with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or liver function, particularly if these conditions are severe.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.

The use of dopamine agonists has been associated with psychiatric effects such as hallucinations, psychosis, confusion, anxiety, mania, hypomania, depression, rapid mood cycling, nightmares, and hypersexuality. Therapy with dopamine agonists should be administered cautiously in psychotic patients and all patients should be carefully observed for development of depression and suicidal tendencies.

The carbidopa, entacapone and levodopa in Stalevo all have a moderate potential interaction with Psychosis.

Ordinarily, patients with major psychotic disorder should not be treated with dopaminergic antiparkinsonian agents, because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis. Hallucinations and psychotic-like behavior have been reported with dopaminergic medications. In addition, certain medications used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may decrease the effectiveness of these drugs. The use of bromocriptine in patients with severe psychotic disorders is not recommended.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

The pharmacokinetics of levodopa have not been studied in patients with hepatic or renal impairment. Therapy with levodopa should be administered cautiously in patients with liver or disease. Periodic monitoring of hepatic and renal function is recommended during extended therapy.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Valsartan is primarily eliminated by biliary excretion, and a minority is excreted in the urine. Dosage adjustments are not necessary in patients with renal impairment unless they are also volume-depleted, in which case therapy should be initiated under medical supervision. Likewise, patients with mild to moderate hepatic impairment or biliary obstruction generally do not require a dosage adjustment. The manufacturer recommends administering valsartan therapy with caution in patients with impaired renal and/or liver function, particularly if these conditions are severe.

Valsartan has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Changes in renal function including acute renal failure can be caused by drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system and by diuretics. Patients whose renal function may depend in part on the activity of the renin-angiotensin system (e.g., patients with renal artery stenosis, chronic kidney disease, severe congestive heart failure, or volume depletion) may be at particular risk of developing acute renal failure with these agents. Monitor renal function periodically in these patients. Consider withholding or discontinuing therapy in patients who develop a clinically significant decrease in renal function with these agents.

The levodopa in Stalevo has a major potential interaction with Skin Cancer.

The use of levodopa is considered by manufacturers to be contraindicated in patients with a history of melanoma or in patients with suspicious, undiagnosed skin lesions. Levodopa reportedly may activate malignant melanoma, although some investigators have found a causal relationship to be tenuous.

The carbidopa and levodopa in Stalevo both have a moderate potential interaction with Sleep Disorders.

Patients treated with products containing carbidopa and levodopa report excessive somnolence and falling asleep while engaged in daily activities, sometimes with no warning sign of drowsiness. Advise patients about the risks, especially those suffering from sleep disorders or using concomitant sedating medications.