Parcopa v Carbidopa-Levadopa IR

Of course these drugs are essentially the same except that one dissolves in your mouth and the other is a tablet but do you have any info on the comparative effectiveness of Parcopa v generic Carbidopa-Levadopa IR? I've taken both and I get substantially different effects from them. Parcopa eases the transition to the next dose much more than generic Carbidopa-Levadopa IR which is more abrupt and I would stick with Parcopa except that it does give me missed beats and I'm concerned since I have heart disease and have had a heart attack in the past. Also it's expensive.

Also, one odd but interesting thing I've learned about carbidopa levadopa IR is that if you snap the tablets in half before you take them they take effect faster. Could be more surface area?

Thanks

Last Edited on 5-Sep-2008 8:27 AM

ThePharmacist

74 post s
12-Sep-2008
8:23 AM

all the studies that have been on on the parcopa vs sinemt ir is that the onset of action and duration is about that same. So remember that almost all medications differ in onset and duration from person to person. As far as splitting the sinemet, the reason for this effect is that a tablet is compressed and when it is split, it is able to be broken down more quickly because it is easier for the body to absorb many smaller pieces than one large piece.

Best of health,

Mark

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