Active ingredient
- levodopa
- carbidopa
Legal Category
POM: Prescription only medicine
POM: Prescription only medicine
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 00025/0269.
Sinemet CR and Half Sinemet CR
PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER
SINEMET® CR 50 mg/200 mg Prolonged-Release Tablets
HALF SINEMET® CR 25 mg/100 mg Prolonged-Release Tablets
(Carbidopa/levodopa)
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine.
In this leaflet:
1 What Sinemet CR is and what it is used for
2 Before you take Sinemet CR
3 How to take Sinemet CR
4 Possible side effects
5 How to store Sinemet CR
6 Further information
1 What Sinemet CR is and what it is used for
Sinemet CR improves the signs of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson's disease is a long-term illness where:
If not treated, Parkinson's disease can make it hard for you to continue your normal daily activities.
Sinemet CR contains two different medicines called: levodopa and carbidopa.
2 Before you take Sinemet CR
Do not take Sinemet CR if:
Do not take Sinemet CR if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sinemet CR.
Take special care with Sinemet CR
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking your medicine if:
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Sinemet CR.
Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices you are developing addiction-like symptoms leading to craving for large doses of Sinemet CR and other medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
Tell your doctor if you or your family/carer notices you are developing urges or cravings to behave in ways that are unusual for you or you cannot resist the impulse, drive or temptation to carry out certain activities that could harm yourself or others. These behaviours are called impulse control disorders and can include addictive gambling, excessive eating or spending, an abnormally high sex drive or an increase in sexual thoughts or feelings. Your doctor may need to review your treatments.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. This is because Sinemet CR can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some other medicines can affect the way Sinemet CR works.
In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Your doctor or pharmacist has a more complete list of medicines to avoid while taking Sinemet CR.
Tests while you are taking Sinemet CR
This medication can affect some laboratory tests that your doctor may perform on blood or urine samples. Please remind your doctor if you are taking Sinemet CR and are having any tests.
Taking Sinemet CR with food and drink
Try to avoid taking your tablets with a heavy meal. If your diet contains too much protein (meat, eggs, milk, cheese) Sinemet CR may not work as well as it should.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Do not take Sinemet CR if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or are breast-feeding. Levodopa, one of the substances in Sinemet CR, is passed into human milk. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine, if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Driving and using machines
3 How to take Sinemet CR
Always take Sinemet CR exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Taking this medicine
If you have not had levodopa before
The usual starting dose for Sinemet CR is one tablet twice a day.
If you have had levodopa before
The usual starting dose for Sinemet CR is one tablet twice a day. Your doctor may ask you to take Half Sinemet CR to help in determining the correct dose.
A combination of more than one Sinemet or Sinemet CR product may be prescribed by your doctor. If you have been given different Sinemet or Sinemet CR tablets to take make sure that you are taking the correct one at the right time. Remember: Half Sinemet CR is a lower dose tablet than Sinemet CR.
Children under 18 years of age
Sinemet CR is not suitable for children under the age of 18 years.
If you take more Sinemet CR than you should
If you take too many tablets see your doctor immediately.
If you forget to take Sinemet CR
Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
If you stop taking Sinemet CR
Do not stop taking Sinemet CR or change your dose without talking to your doctor first. When you stop taking Sinemet CR the following can occur: stiff muscles, high temperature (fever) and mental changes.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
4 Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Sinemet CR can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Stop taking Sinemet CR and see your doctor straight away, if you notice any of the following side effects:
The most common side effects are
Other side effects include
You may experience the following side effects:
Tell your doctor if you experience any of these behaviours; he/she will discuss ways of managing or reducing the symptoms.
Side effects that have been reported with medicines containing levodopa.
These may be experienced when taking Sinemet CR.
Nervous system:
Eyes:
Digestive system:
Sexual:
Urinary:
Skin:
General:
If any symptoms persist or you experience any other side effects please tell your doctor or pharmacist. It will help if you make a note of what you experienced, when it started and how long it lasted.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5 How to store Sinemet CR
6 Further information
What Sinemet CR and Half Sinemet CR tablets contain
What Sinemet CR and Half Sinemet CR tablets look like and contents of the pack
SINEMET CR: peach
HALF SINEMET CR: pink
Sinemet CR and Half Sinemet CR are available in blister packs of 60 tablets.
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
Marketing Authorisation Holder:
Manufacturer:
This leaflet was last revised in July 2019.
© Merck Sharp & Dohme Limited 2019. All rights reserved.
PIL.SCR.19.UK.6893.Art 61[3]-PRO
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