which is better... madopar or sinemet? - Cure Parkinson's
which is better... madopar or sinemet?
Hi Poloman
I do not think there is a straight forward answer to your question – it all depends on your particular circumstances/condition and how your body reacts to each of the meds individually. My suggestion is to try each one for a minimum period of 2 months each, and your body will tell you which one works best for you. I have two friends taking levodopa meds, the one takes Senimet and the other one Carbilev whereas only Madopar works for me again (because it contains Benserazide, which I am told, helps with the absorption of the levadopa in my specific case).
Good luck
Hello I was just taking mirapex but had some stiffness and pain and my neurologist started me on carbidopa/levodopa 25/100.I started taking half of the pill at first for 2 months then increased the dosage to the whole pill twice daily and so far so good.Usual dosage is 1 pill 3 times daily,but it was too much for me.I talked to my neurologist and he said it was fine.
We all share PD but every pill doesnt agree with everyone,so give it a try it may work for you or not.You'll never know until you try.If I can help with any questions,let me know.
I have been on it for 6 months and I've been taking mirapex for 2 1/2 years. Hope this helps,good luck.
If Madopar is the same as Stalevo, I have to say sinemet worked better than Stalevo. Stalevo wore off in a flash, stained all my bodily excretions, and I had to run to the toilet 
Both Sinemet and madopar contain l-dopa, the oral active form to replace dopamine in the body. L-dopa has a short half-life ( doesn't hang around in the body too long as various enzymes break it down to be excreted.). To help overcome this, an extra chemical is added in a standard dose which delays the enzyme responsible to break down the l-dopa. Sinemet uses carbidopa and Madopar uses benserazide, sort of chemically related. Sinemet ,the first medicine to be produced for PD using l-dopa, is probably the most popular, but many patients get adverse reactions, some of which are attributed to carbidopa. Swap these for Madopar and often the adverse effects go away. Such patients are more tolerant to the benserazide (includes me! Personal experience here!).
It may also be true that some patients prefer a tablet to a capsule. Sinemet only has tablet form. Madopar also has a capsule form. Should not be any difference if contents are the same, theoretically. But some patients seem to experience a difference if they change, for whatever other reason, from a tablet to a capsule, or visa versa. It's unfortunately, a matter of suck it and see! It is not predictable.
PatV, Stalevo contains Comptan, another compound acting on a different enzyme which has the effect of keeping the blood level of the active ingredient up for about an extra 30-60 minutes per dose, and therefore it is successful in keeping your "on" time up for that period. If you take 4 doses a day, you are increasing your total on-time from about 120 to say, 240 minutes total per day. Unfortunately, it does turn your urine neon yellow, and stains! (Have often wondered if it glows under UV light....would look like a disco....lol). Hope all this helps.
Great explanation thanks.
Also i think there is an interesting geographic difference in who takes what. I may be wrong but Madopar seems popular in Scandinavia for instance while Sinemet dominates in the English speaking countries. Is this observation correct Oz?
i am on sinemet miripex and amantadine doing better since sinemet got added
for a good second opinion give Pakinsons uk a ring they are brilliant for advice
B1 and madopar experience
Reduction of Sinemet 
Sinemet and shakiness
Titrating down on Sinemet experience
Sinemet dose intervals 
