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Is It Safe For A Parkinson's Disease Patient To Increase The Dosage Of Carbidopa-Levodopa?
Question: My partner has Parkinson's and has had for 10 years. He currently takes Carbidopa-levo ER 50-200 three times per day. His shaking has become much worse lately causing insomnia and other problems. Getting an appointment to go over med doses can take three months in rural NH. Can he safely increase the number of times he takes it or add 1/2 tablet given that they are scored down the middle?
Thank you so very much.
Thank you so very much.
Brief Answer:
probably yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a patient can take more carbidopa-levodopa than his current dosage (150-600mg per day). Adding half a pill every 3 days is usually safe unless he's experienced side effects like hypotension, nausea, etc. For higher dosages I usually advise my patients to take it four times daily. I wouldn't go beyond 200-800mg per day though - at least without consulting with a neurologist.
In any case it would be better if you could contact the treating doctor (a telephone call should suffice) for approval. The treating doctor is always the best person to take treatment decisions. Knowing a patient's history and having examined him in person can be very important.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
probably yes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
a patient can take more carbidopa-levodopa than his current dosage (150-600mg per day). Adding half a pill every 3 days is usually safe unless he's experienced side effects like hypotension, nausea, etc. For higher dosages I usually advise my patients to take it four times daily. I wouldn't go beyond 200-800mg per day though - at least without consulting with a neurologist.
In any case it would be better if you could contact the treating doctor (a telephone call should suffice) for approval. The treating doctor is always the best person to take treatment decisions. Knowing a patient's history and having examined him in person can be very important.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dear Dr. Zografakis,
Thank you very much for your help which I will share with my partner and try to follow up with his regular doctor. You would be surprised how difficult such a seemingly simple thing as a phone call has become. I am quite glad to have found this site.
Appreciate your guidance
Thank you very much for your help which I will share with my partner and try to follow up with his regular doctor. You would be surprised how difficult such a seemingly simple thing as a phone call has become. I am quite glad to have found this site.
Appreciate your guidance
Brief Answer:
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Glad to help! Please don't hesitate to get back to me should you need further assistance.
Best Regards!
You're welcome!
Detailed Answer:
Glad to help! Please don't hesitate to get back to me should you need further assistance.
Best Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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