Sinemet is prescribed to treat symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and restless legs syndrome. Sinemet is a combination of cardibopa and the banned drug levodopa. On its own, levodopa must be used in large quantities in order to get a sufficient amount of dopamine to the patient’s brain. These large quantities can cause adverse health reactions. However, combined with cardibopa, smaller amounts of levodopa can be used.
No one is sure what causes restless legs syndrome, but it is believed to be hereditary. Primary restless legs syndrome is incurable, but secondary restless legs syndrome, which is caused by pregnancy, anemia or iron deficiency, goes away once the underlying causes have been treated.
Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that is characterized by a lack of dopamine in the brain, which is the chemical that creates coordinated muscle activity. Once 80 percent of the necessary dopamine is depleted, signs of Parkinson’s begin to become noticeable. These signs include tremors, slowness of movement, stiffness, balance difficulty, cramped handwriting, stiff facial expression, muffled speech, and depression.
What are some important things I should know about Sinemet?
Levodopa, which changes to dopamine in the brain, helps restore muscle control. However, because only small amounts changed to dopamine, patients had to take large amounts of levodopa. This made patients more susceptible to injuries like nausea and dyskinesias, which cause involuntary movements. Now, cardibopa prevents levodopa from being broken down before it reaches the brain, which allows for less quantities of levodopa.
Sinemet is for people who have primary restless legs syndrome or Parkinson’s disease.
As well as the risks of nausea and dyskinesias that levodopa poses, Sinemet can also cause:
- low blood pressure
- hallucinations
- suicidal thoughts
- nausea
- confusion
- abnormal movements
Patients taking Sinemet are more susceptible to injuries like nausea and dyskinesias, which cause involuntary movements. Sinemet can also react with other drug and cause allergic reactions. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice:
- uncontrolled movements
- depression
- hallucinations
- difficulty swallowing or breathing
- hives
- discolored stools
- bloody vomit
You should contact a personal injury attorney if you were injured by Sinemet.