Sinemet

Ever heard of Parkinson Disease or PD? It is a corruptive disorder of the central nervous system where one with the disease suffers from speech and motor skills breakdown. With the advent of medical science, sinemet emerged as one of the medications created by Du Pont Pharmaceuticals to cure Parkinson’s Diseases.

A carbidopa-levodopa combined prescription drug, dosages of sinemet have three strengths: 25mg/100mg, 10mg/100mg, and 25mg/250mg. Because Parkinson’s Disease is said to be due to low levels of dopamine in some parts of the brain, levodopa once taken is converted into dopamine in the body. The results increases the dopamine level in the brain, thus, improving nerve functions and aid in Parkinson’s movement disorders.

On the other hand, carbidopa, unlike levodopa, doesn’t traverse on the blood-brain barrier. Instead, it supports the levodopa from breaking down before it crosses the blood-brain barrier. The higher the level of carbidopa, the lower the need for levodopa level needed. In this manner, levodopa side effects will be minimized.

Sinemet relieves muscle stiffness, and weakening of the muscles brought about by Parkinson’s Disease. It may be taken a few times in a day or depending on doctor’s orders. Like any other tablets, it can be taken with drinks or food to avoid vomiting. A high protein diet is recommended to reduce absorption.

Some drugs when taken along with sinemet intervene its function. They reverse its beneficial effects and can worsen the disease. To name a few, there is droperidol, loxapine, metoclopramide and haloperidol while trihexyphenidyl, amantadine, and procyclidine aggrandize the effects of the sinemet drug. Phenytoin can trigger effectiveness breakdown of the said medicine.

Some side effects of sinemet are dizziness, movement disorders, hallucinations, confusion, chest pain for some, asthenia and nausea. Involuntary movements like gnawing, head bobbing, chewing, and twisting might also be experienced. Although no studies were conducted regarding the hazardous effects of sinemet towards unborn babies, animal studies showed otherwise. If a physician should prescribe this medicine to a pregnant mother, he or she must weigh the potential benefits the mother can get to the risk the fetus will be exposed to. Since levodopa can be distributed to breastmilk, it is advised that feeding mothers should not be given sinemet.

Psychiatric agitation can also be expected to patients under levodopa-carbidopa therapy. These include nervousness, daytime tiredness, anxiety, euphoria, memory loss and nightmares. For patients on the same therapy, gastrointestinal effects are common. Weight loss, vomiting, appetite loss and nausea can occur too. If one experiences a drop in his or her blood pressure, in a few months, his or her body will establish tolerance to the side effects. But for patients who develop a decrease on their white blood cells, it is reason enough for them to temporarily put a halt to their treatment. Permanently if needed.

Daily dose of sinemet must be carefully administered. Dosage is initiated with one 25-100 mg thrice a day. This is equivalent to 75 mg of carbidopa daily. Dosages can be increased a tablet a day, or whenever it is necessary, until eight tablets of 25-100 mg is reached each day. As always, changes in dosage must be of doctor’s orders.

Along with the medications, therapy must be continued according to the patient’s therapeutic response. Patients must be monitored during the entire course of the medication and therapy. Unknowing movements can be expected to occur more frequently with sinemet. If this happens, there is a need to reduce dosage of medication. Blepharospasm can be considered as the earliest sign of excess dosage for other patients. Utmost cautions should be practiced in dealing with medicines.

It is essential to listen to our body’s needs and wants. A good mind comes with a good heart and healthy body. Health is truly wealth after all.