sinemet ER vs IR

[shstang]

anybody cutting half of sinemet extended release tablets vs. cutting or taking Immediate release for better response? extended-release tablets are not intended for splitting, but I have seen some neurologist instruct their patients. any comment?

[soup]

If you cut an extended release tablet it will not have an extended release but will still contain half the stated dose.

[shstang in reply to soup]

have you tried it yourself? would it act faster or slower than immediate release?

[soup in reply to shstang]

I have not tried it myself, but the only way that the Sinemet is controlled release is due to the different coatings throughout the pill. Once all the coatings are breached the Sinemet is released as in the individual dose versions.

If you are after a rapid response a dispersible Madopar might be a better answer.

[Kadie57]

Do not cut CR (Time Released) Sinement Most CT's are 8hr pills, it defeats the purpose of the time released, I take 1 CR with my reg dose of sinement, food proteins really does affect how the meds work. I also stop my intake of red meat ( because of extra iron in my system) and added a Vita B Complex 1 every other day, my balance has been improved greatly.

[Anthonyian in reply to Kadie57]

Hi Kadie 57 have you cut out eating red meat because of meds thanks

[Kadie57 in reply to Anthonyian]

Yes I did stop the red meat and add Vita B complex tab daily. This helped my balance much. I was so pleased something simple worked.

[michaela13]

I cut the regular sinemet in half and take the other half an hour later because I've found I am able toi swallow better with food

[PatV]

hmmm my neuro told me to break the sinimet ER in half and take 3 times a day in addition to my regular sinimet 5 times a day. I get really dyskinesiac! but without it lots of pain in the lower belly. So I have to get up and walk it off. I'm eating MORE protein! ALso taking vitamins when I remember.

[shstang in reply to PatV]

have you tried taking whole tablet of er vs half in the past? is that why you are now on half of er tablets? IR tablets make me feel worse than ER, i had to choose less of evil, but my symptoms are getting worse, i feel like I need to take more than current er 6 times daily, every 3 hours!

[ssnowhite in reply to shstang]

Slow down ,the drug greater side effect more symptom with more drug , less is better.

[Leilani23 in reply to shstang]

Can I ask you all when you started needing to take medications? I'm recently diagnosed and so far my symptoms are tremors of the jaw, chin, head, left leg, and mild ones in the hands. Plus mild balance problems. I don't need meds yet. I'm wondering at what point one begins to need medication. Also, my father had Parkinson's Plus and I'm hoping I don't really have that instead of Parkinson's.

[PatV]

I did try whole ER at bedtime. It was bothersome to have to have snack after having brushed teeth. And kicking in meds leads to kicking legs. I think I'll talk to neuro again.

[Chak]

is it a jittery feeling like drinking too much coffee and take in too much no doze?

[Jocee]

I sometimes cut a sinemet er tablet in half. I have learned to experiment with the dosage to find what works best. One time it works well is before bed. I don't really need the whole er pill and a reg one wears off too soon.

[shstang in reply to Jocee]

Jocee, is that how you take your nighttime dose only? do you cut er tablets into half any other time of the time vs taking IR? i was started on IR but i felt internally so cold in temperature so I just fouldnt handle it. it felt like somebody poured a bucket of cold water over my head. ER tablets were little better but after failing all the other meds due to side effects (dyskinesia, spams, etc), i feel like sinemet er is the only thing that i decided to stick with. it is barely helping but seems like i do not have other choice. i need to take er tablets every 3 hours, before only 2.5tablets but i stretched to 3hrs. it has unpleasant side effects but that is so far i am settle before increasing my dose which I am considering.

[Jocee in reply to shstang]

Yes, I usually only take 1/2 of an e r sinemet at bedtime. The whole e r tablet of sinemet lasts for 3 hrs. Sometimes, if I have not eaten any protein, it might last for 4 hrs. I am always trying to take less, rather than more meds, because I hate dyskenesia.

[michaela13]

Ask the pharmacist. Do the er pills have a cut line? Usually that means the med is divided evenly.

[michaela13]

Ask the pharmacist. Do the er pills have a cut line? Usually that means the med is divided evenly.

[khrgmom]

Anyone have any updates about sinemet toxicity?