Most patients receiving levodopa-carbidopa experience side effects, but these are usually reversible. Occasional involuntary movements are the most common of the serious side effects of levodopa-carbidopa therapy. These may include chewing, gnawing, twisting, tongue or mouth movements, head bobbing, or movements of the feet, hands, or shoulder. These may respond to a reduction in the dose. Muscle twitching, dizziness, muscle jerks during sleep, and hand tremor also may occur. Various psychiatric disturbances may occur during levodopa-carbidopa therapy. Such disturbances include memory loss, anxiety, nervousness, agitation, restlessness, confusion, inability to sleep, nightmares, daytime tiredness, mental depression or euphoria.
Gastrointestinal side effects are common in patients receiving levodopa-carbidopa. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss may occur. Patients may experience dizziness upon standing up, associated with a drop in blood pressure. Fortunately, the body develops tolerance to this side effect within a few months.
Infrequently, patients may develop a drop in white blood cell count during levodopa-carbidopa therapy. This is a cause to temporarily, if not permanently, stop treatment. |
Anti-Narcoleptic
