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Stalevo 125 Side Effects

Generic name: carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 15, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Stalevo 125.

Applies to carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa: oral tablet Side Effects associated with carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Stalevo 125.

Applies to carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to allow changes in your dose and to check for any unwanted effects.

Do not take this medicine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor (eg, isocarboxazid [Marplan®], phenelzine [Nardil®] or tranylcypromine [Parnate®]) in the past 2 weeks.

Do not Stop taking carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping completely.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

This medicine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, trouble in controlling movements, or trouble in concentrating or seeing clearly. It may even cause you to fall asleep without warning while you drive, talk, or eat. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do other jobs that require you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think or see well.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur with this medicine, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position suddenly. These symptoms are more likely to occur when you begin taking this medicine, or when the dose is increased. Getting up slowly may also help. If this problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine will add to the effects of other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medications, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may cause diarrhea, and in some cases it can be severe. It can occur months after starting this medicine. Do not take any medicine to treat diarrhea without first checking with your doctor. Diarrhea medicines may make the diarrhea worse or make it last longer. If you have any questions about this or if mild diarrhea continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

If you develop any unusual or strange thoughts and behavior while receiving this medicine, be sure to discuss it with your doctor. Other changes might be confusion, worsening of depression, visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not there), suicidal thoughts, and unusual excitement, nervousness, or irritability.

Check with your doctor right away if you have dark-colored urine, fever, muscle cramps or spasms, muscle pain or stiffness, or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a condition called rhabdomyolysis.

Check with your doctor right away if you are having shortness of breath, chest tightness, or any type of breathing problem while being treated with this medicine.

It is important that your doctor check your skin regularly for signs of a skin cancer called melanoma. If you notice any unusual red, brown, or black spots on your skin, talk to your doctor right away.

It is possible that a dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in saliva, urine, or sweat after taking this medicine. The color may cause some of your garments to become discolored. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

It is possible that you may become nauseous, especially when you are first starting your medicine.

Some people who have used this medicine had unusual changes in their behavior. Talk with your doctor right away if you start having problems with gambling or an increased interest in sex while using this medicine.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Serious side effects of Stalevo 125

Along with its needed effects, carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa 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 carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa:

More common-Entacapone

Incidence not known-Carbidopa and Levodopa and/or Levodopa alone

Other side effects of Stalevo 125

Some side effects of carbidopa / entacapone / 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:

More common-Entacapone

Less common-Entacapone

Incidence not known-Carbidopa and Levodopa and/or Levodopa alone

For healthcare professionals

Applies to carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa: oral tablet.

General adverse events

The most commonly reported adverse reactions have included dyskinesias, urine discoloration, diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, and dry mouth.

Psychiatric

Hallucinations leading to drug withdrawal occurred in 0.8% and 0% of patients treated with carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone compared with carbidopa/levodopa, respectively; hallucinations led to hospitalization in 1% and 0.3% of patients, respectively.[Ref]

Nervous system

Gastrointestinal

During clinical trials, diarrhea developed in 10% and 4% of patients treated with carbidopa-levodopa-entacapone and carbidopa-levodopa plus placebo, respectively. For patients treated with entacapone, 8.6% reported diarrhea that was generally mild to moderate with 1.3% reporting it as severe. Diarrhea resulted in discontinuation in 1.7% of patients; 7 with mild and moderate diarrhea and 3 with severe diarrhea. Two patients with diarrhea were hospitalized. Postmarketing experience has shown that diarrhea may be a sign of drug-induced microscopic colitis, primarily lymphocytic colitis. In cases of drug-induced microscopic colitis, diarrhea was moderate to severe, watery and non-bloody, at times associated with dehydration, abdominal pain, weight loss, and hypokalemia. In most cases, diarrhea and other colitis-related symptoms resolved or significantly improved when entacapone was stopped.[Ref]

Hepatic

Respiratory

Entacapone:

Four cases of pulmonary fibrosis were reported during clinical development of entacapone. Three patients had been treated with pergolide and 1 with bromocriptine. The duration of treatment with entacapone ranged from 7 months to 17 months.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Ocular

Dermatologic

Hematologic

Musculoskeletal

Genitourinary

Metabolic

See also:

References

1. (2003) "Product Information. Stalevo 50 (carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

2. (2003) "Product Information. Stalevo 150 (carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

3. Hauser RA (2004) "Levodopa/carbidopa/entacapone (Stalevo)." Neurology, 62(1 Suppl 1), S64-71

4. (2003) "Product Information. Stalevo 100 (carbidopa / entacapone / levodopa)." Novartis Pharmaceuticals

5. Giner V, Rueda D, Salvador A, Hernandez JC, Esteban MJ, Redon J (2003) "Comments, opinions, and brief case reports: thrombocytopenia associated with levodopa treatment." Arch Intern Med, 163, p. 735-6

Further information

Stalevo 125 side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.