SINEMET unavailability in UK.

[Johnboy46]

Hi guys and girls. Is anyone else having trouble getting SINEMET in the UK. Since November my Pharmacist, here in London, has only been able to get a generic C/L tablet from FairMed healthcare,Germany. This doesn't work as effectively as the real thing. My next appt. with Hospital is in March. I would like to know if this is country wide or local.

[Kevin51]

Picked up my sinimet CR and IR two days ago in W1 from Boots, No problems - touch wood!

[GymBag]

It has been going on since August. No problems in North America that I can find. Probably just that European common market thingy .

msd-uk.com/static/pdf/Sinem...

[Hidden in reply to GymBag]

Not so I am afraid GymBag. The same problem in Canada. I live in British Columbia and my neurologist switched me to a generic levadopa CR about 6 months ago and we are still trying to regulate the dosage as it is different from the Sinemet CR. Some people have experienced new side effects including a sensitivity to the colour.

Most of PWP I know are having to switch due to a lack of availability of the original Sinemet. We were warned of this by our pharmacist almost a year ago.

[seagulls59]

I am 30 miles outsideLondon, no problems yet.

[JeanieBeanie]

Yes. Our pharmacy wanted to give us a generic one so took the prescription to Boots instead. Even then they had to phone another store for me to pick it up from. It's worrying. This is in West Yorkshire.

[Cozycat]

I live in New Zealand and we're having problems here too. The substitute they gave me in December basically did nothing - I managed to find a pharmacist who had some Sinemet left in stock, but he told me there would be no more coming into the country. Since then I've been told by my local pharmacist Sinemet may become available again this year - I'm so hoping they're right!

[gingerj]

I get my Sinemet from pharmacy2u I get s different brand each time. I wasn't aware that there is a difference. What is original Sinemet, how do you know if you're taking a substitute?

[Johnboy46]

Thanks guys, at least I now know it's not just local, although the other guys in London don't seem to be having any problems yet.Cheers

[gingerj]

I asked Google. MSD are reporting possible supply issues till end of first quarter 2019.

parkinsons.org.uk/news/manu...

[GymBag]

Oh you guys are talking about the real Sinemet. I take APO-Levocarb Carbidopa / Levodopa . I dont think I have ever taken real Sinemet. I dont think there are any problems with the Generic medications but than I have never tried the real stuff.