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What happens if I miss a dose (Larodopa)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose (Larodopa)?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a levodopa overdose include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, fainting, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, and agitation.

What should I avoid while taking levodopa (Larodopa)?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Levodopa may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Avoid vitamin products that contain vitamin B6 (pyridoxine). This vitamin may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa.

What other drugs will affect levodopa (Larodopa)?

Do not take levodopa if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or phenelzine (Nardil) within the past 2 weeks.

Antacids may increase the effectiveness of levodopa and lead to side effects. Ask your doctor about the use of antacids.

Tell your doctor if you are taking a medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Drugs taken to treat high blood pressure may be more effective when taken with levodopa, and very low blood pressure could result.

Many drugs may decrease the effects of levodopa. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• drugs used to treat seizures, such as phenytoin (Dilantin), ethotoin (Peganone), and mephenytoin (Mesantoin);
• papaverine (Pavabid, Cerespan, others);
• pyridoxine or vitamin B6;
• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), desipramine (Norpramin), and amoxapine (Asendin); or

Levodopa may interfere with diabetic urine tests for sugar and ketones. If you are diabetic and notice changes in your urine test results, talk to your doctor before making any changes in your diabetes medication.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with levodopa. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about levodopa written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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