This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.
Brand Names: US
Lodosyn
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat Parkinson’s disease.
- It is used to treat signs like Parkinson’s disease caused by other health problems.
- This drug needs to be taken with another drug that has levodopa in it. Be sure you know about the warnings, benefits, and risks of the other drug. Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?
For all patients taking this drug:
- If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
- If you have glaucoma.
- If you have taken certain drugs used for depression like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Taking this drug within 14 days of those drugs can cause severe high blood pressure.
- If you are taking any of these drugs: Linezolid or methylene blue.
- If you are taking another drug that has the same drug in it.
Children:
- If the patient is a child. Do not give this drug to a child.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this drug affects you.
- To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
- Talk with your doctor before you use alcohol, marijuana or other forms of cannabis, or prescription or OTC drugs that may slow your actions.
- Have your blood work and other lab tests checked as you have been told by your doctor.
- This drug may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take this drug.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), talk with your doctor about which glucose tests are best to use.
- This drug may “wear off” as the time for your next dose gets closer. Tell your doctor if this happens and it bothers you.
- A dark color (red, brown, or black) may show up in your saliva, urine, or sweat. This is not harmful but may discolor your clothes.
- It may take a few months to see the full effect.
- Some people have fallen asleep during activities like driving, eating, or talking. Some people did not feel sleepy and felt alert right before falling asleep. This has happened up to 1 year after this drug was started. If you fall asleep during activities, do not drive or do other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert while you take this drug. Call your doctor right away if this happens or you feel very sleepy.
- The chance of a type of skin cancer called melanoma may be raised in people with Parkinson’s disease. It is not known if this drug may also raise the chance. Have skin exams while you take this drug. Talk with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of depression, thoughts of suicide, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
- Signs of high or low blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) like blood in the urine, burning or pain when passing urine, feeling the need to pass urine often or right away, fever, lower stomach pain, or pelvic pain.
- Change in the way you act.
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
- Strong urges that are hard to control (such as eating, gambling, sex, or spending money).
- Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
- Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Chest pain or pressure.
- A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
- Fever, chills, or sore throat; any unexplained bruising or bleeding; or feeling very tired or weak.
- A skin lump or growth.
- Change in color or size of a mole.
- Change in eyesight.
- Trouble controlling body movements that is new or worse.
- Grinding of teeth.
- Shortness of breath.
- Swelling.
- Change in how much urine is passed.
- Painful erection (hard penis) or an erection that lasts for longer than 4 hours.
What are some other side effects of this drug?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Feeling dizzy, sleepy, tired, or weak.
- Headache.
- Dry mouth.
- Trouble sleeping.
- Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.
- Gas.
- Heartburn.
- Hiccups.
- Change in taste.
- Strange or odd dreams.
- Weight gain or loss.
- Signs of a common cold.
- Back pain.
- Pain in arms or legs.
- Muscle cramps.
- Flushing.
- Sweating a lot.
- Hair loss.
- Hot flashes.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to your national health agency.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
How is this drug best taken?
Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- Diets high in protein, fat, or calories may lower how well your body absorbs this drug. Eating acidic foods may also do this. Talk with your doctor about your diet or if you will be changing your diet.
- If you take an iron product or a multivitamin that has iron, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with this drug. Iron may lower how well your body is able to absorb this drug.
- Do not stop taking this drug all of a sudden or lower your dose without talking to your doctor. Side effects may happen.
- Take this drug at the same time of day.
- Keep taking this drug even when you are not having symptoms.
- Keep a diary of your signs.
- Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
How do I store and/or throw out this drug?
- Store at room temperature in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
General drug facts
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.
Last Reviewed Date
2023-07-11
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