Stopping Sinemet

[BogeyDog]

I was prescribed Sinemet for the dizziness associated with a new diagnosis of Parkinson's syndrome. After 4 weeks I've seen no change and was told to discontinue use. Can I stop taking it cold turkey or must I wean myself off?

[park_bear]

Quitting levodopa medication abruptly can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which is as bad as it sounds. You've only been taking sinemet for a short time, which makes it less likely, but even so I would not risk it. I have not been able to find any medical advice as to how to taper so your guess as to the details is as good as mine.

[Lamadre in reply to park_bear]

I’ve read too about the need to taper off rather than suddenly stop Sinemet. It has made me wonder about how the body copes with a long overnight gap between doses, if there are a few hours when there’s no levadopa in the system . Does this pose a risk of NMS? Sorry this is a bit off topic!

[CuriousMe12 in reply to Lamadre]

I only take meds during the day, not at night.

[BogeyDog in reply to Lamadre]

I've wondered the same thing! And, I've decided to wean off just to be on the safe side. Thanks for replying!

[Lamadre in reply to BogeyDog]

Good luck! I sometimes think my meds make me feel worse, other days I’m fine, so difficult to get it right!

[park_bear in reply to Lamadre]

No need to apologize - a good question. This is not the sort of thing that would lend itself to scientific study because no one wants to invite this condition. However, if there were any danger of this happening as a result of the sleep interval this would not go unnoticed - we would have heard about it long ago. Also, I have noticed there seems to be residual activity of levodopa even 12 hours after taking a dose, long after it has disappeared from the bloodstream.

[Lamadre in reply to park_bear]

Thanks park_bear, that sounds very logical. Removing it from my worry list 😱

[Husbandsupporter in reply to park_bear]

Tapering off—- drop one dose per 3-4 days to a week— then add another dose to delete. If ANY blood pressure or eyesight problems—- add 1/2 dose back in and then drop 1/2 dose at a time.

[park_bear in reply to Husbandsupporter]

Thanks for that advice. I did not understand this part. I would appreciate if you could explain it further: "then add another dose to delete"

[Husbandsupporter in reply to park_bear]

If dropping 1 full pill causes any side effects, i would suggest only going down 1/2 pill for at least 3-5 days before you titrated further.

[Hope-full1970]

I also had the same problem of it being ineffective. The Dr said I could just stop because it was a low amount. I have been strongly advised by others to taper down. I would say better be safe than sorry. Cut it down by half a pill for several days then cut down another half a pill etc...

[DEAT]

Please don't go cold turkey . It's not worth it.

Better to do be safe than sorry

[Jdoe24]

What’s the dose?

[Gcf51]

4wks, I assume a small dose, I would go cold turkey.

[Sharonkay]

not sure how much you are taking but, say, if 3x day, 200mg, taper by doing 2x day for 1 wk, 1x day second wk. 0 after that. I wouldn't risk cold turkey even if on only 1 mo.

[7springshollow]

What dosage are you on?

[BogeyDog in reply to 7springshollow]

100/25 Two tabs three times a day. I've decided it's best to wean myself off after reading all of these responses. Thanks for replying!

[BoomMate112055]

I take regular Sinemet every 3-3.5 hours during the day and at bedtime I take an extended release dose…for me this works well.

[Husbandsupporter]

hand you asked your Neurologist about changing the dosage of Sinemet? There are choices that may serve your symptoms better without the extra side effects of dizziness.

If you were prescribed Sinimet for PD did it help those symptoms?

[BogeyDog in reply to Husbandsupporter]

I was originally prescribed Sinemet because of my ongoing, constant dizziness and lightheadedness. I've been newly diagnosed with Parkinson's "syndrome", meaning I exhibit some PD traits and from the results of my DATScan. I have orthostatic hypotension which has been addressed with Midodrine to increase my BP. But, nothing is helping with the constant lightheadedness. I've had to give up driving and a lot of the pastimes that I enjoyed. My neurologist is working with me and is starting a new med (can't remember the name. Waiting for the pharmacy to fill it) and hoping it will bring some relief.