Unable to take Sinemet.

[Yardmom7]

I have PD and been on Azilect for a couple of years. I need to begin Sinemet per Neurologist but I never reached therapeutic dose before having severe reactions to the medication. Has anyone else been unable to take sinemet?

[Juliegrace]

There are several members here who have had bad reactions to Sinemet. What kind of reaction did you have?

[Yardmom7 in reply to Juliegrace]

My symptoms became much worse than normal and increased with each dose. I hadn't even gotten to one tab daily before the reactions began. I had increased rigidity and trouble initiating movement. My right hand was so stiff and painful that I was unable to pick up a glass. It was an awful and painful experience.

[Brynjulf]

I have also bad reactions due to low tolerance of carbidopa in Sinemet. You can try Madupar, which contain benzeracide instead of carbidopa. Has been acceptable for me, but you may also try natural products such as Atremorin or Mucuna Pruriens.

[Yardmom7 in reply to Brynjulf]

I haven't heard of these meds and was unaware of any non-pharmaceutical treatments. Where might I find this information?

[Brynjulf in reply to Yardmom7]

Madupar is a pharmaproduct made by Roche, (Sveits), and I think it is available everywhere. The natural product Mucuna Pruriens is also available, and you can find a lot of information here on HealthUnlocked. Atremorine can be ordered from Spain. Just search on internet for more info.

[Brynjulf]

For me it is important to keep the dose of Madopar as low as possible and for instance do more physical exercise together with a good diet. It helps me to work in many different ways at the same time. Stability and balance are key words.

[movinngroovin1]

I couldn't eith4eref. DBS was my answer. No pill could fix PD!!

[movinngroovin1]

either-sorry.

[Angelo65]

Hi Yardmom7

I have been on ezilect for about 5 plus years. Just gone over to rasagiline 1mg.replacing my ezilect. Been taking sinemet for couple of months. Not had any issues. Wish you the best. Ps. I'm not knowledgeable regarding medication. Diagnosed pd. 6 years ago.

[Parkie-]

What is your severe reaction? (Motor symptoms, digestive symptoms, etc)

[Yardmom7 in reply to Parkie-]

Please see reply above. I did forget to mention nausea as a significant reaction.

[Parkie- in reply to Yardmom7]

Hello Yardmom

I also hadn't even gotten to one tab daily before the reaction began. I had increased rigidity but no trouble initiating movement. My left hand/wrist was a lot stiffer but no pain.

I believe it is Levodopa induced dystonia (look it up on Google). My neuro suggested I take Amantadine for this (on top of the Sinemet). I will keep this option for last because I want to take the least amount of meds possible.

I am now trying to reduce the sinemet to half the dose prescribed to see if dystonia will reduce (been on it since mid Feb, but full dose since March 23). At the same time, I am continuing to experiment with B1 HCl, low dose of 200 mg a day, with one day off per week, as I think I am getting a little bit better, apart from the levodopa induced dystonia, of course.

Please keep up posted if you find something that works for you regarding the sinemet issue, as it can help someone else down the line.

PS. The nausea only lasted a couple of days each time I augmented the dose.

Good luck

[jaycees]

I was the opposite. I have no problem with levodopa combinations (Madopar, Stalevo), but had experienced massive reactions to Azilect, mainly nausea, at the beginning. After 2 months I actually felt the benefit as the end of dose was smoother but I could no longer live with the nausea everyday. I stopped. Then one day my daughter (who is a dentist) suggest I try it with an antiemetic drug, much like what cancer patients often do following chemotherapy. Its worked and after a few weeks I could take the Azilect without the antiemetic. If there are no real reason your body is rejecting a certain drug, you may speak to your neuro about it and give it a try. It is similar to drugs used to treat motion sickness.

[condor39]

I had reaction to Sinemet, but not to Prolopa, which is the Canadian band of Madopar.

[laglag]

What dosage are you taking. 25/100? If yes, how many & at what times? Do you eat food/protein an hour before or after taking the C/L?