Common Questions about Carbidopa-Levodopa (Sinemet)

What is the best time to take carbidopa-levodopa?

It may be best to take your first dose of carbidopa-levodopa 1-2 hours before eating in the morning. Taking the medicine with food that is high in fat or protein content can interfere with its absorption.

How quickly does carbidopa-levodopa work?

Immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa starts working within 30 minutes of taking a dose. The extended-release dosage forms release the medicine over 4-6 hours after taking a dose. Make sure you follow the dosing instructions carefully to get the maximum benefit from the medication.

How much carbidopa-levodopa can you take in a day?

The maximum recommended dose for symptomatic control of Parkinson’s disease is 8 tablets of carbidopa-levodopa in 24 hours. However, keep in mind that your doctor will start you on a lower dose of carbidopa-levodopa and perform dosage adjustments based on your response. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid adverse reactions. 

How successful is carbidopa-levodopa?

Carbidopa-levodopa is one of the most successful treatments for Parkinson’s disease. A single dose can dramatically improve motor symptoms for a limited period of time called the “on time.”

Can you take carbidopa-levodopa long-term?

You can take carbidopa-levodopa long-term. However, many patients develop adverse reactions with long-term use, including dyskinesias, wearing off effect, frozen gait, and mental symptoms. Your healthcare professional will discuss other treatment options for Parkinson’s disease if you do not respond to carbidopa-levodopa.

What is the price of carbidopa-levodopa without insurance?

Without insurance, carbidopa-levodopa can be as high as $59.99, but with a free BuzzRx prescription discount coupon, you could pay as low as$20.92 for the most common version of this medication. Use the BuzzRx drug price look-up tool to find the lowest discounted price, and be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity for the most accurate pricing. While generics tend to have the best savings, you can also use your BuzzRx card and coupons to purchase brand-name versions. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescription drugs—whether you have insurance or not.

What is the price of carbidopa-levodopa with insurance?

Ask your pharmacist or insurance provider for your copay price on carbidopa-levodopa—Copay amounts vary depending on the type of insurance plan you have and if there is a deductible to reach before prescription drug coverage begins.

You could save up to 80% on your prescription medication with a free BuzzRx discount coupon for carbidopa-levodopa. When using the BuzzRx lookup tool to find the price of your medicine, be sure to enter the correct dosage, form, and quantity to receive the most accurate discounted pricing. It never hurts to ask your pharmacist to try BuzzRx when filling or refilling any of your prescriptions—whether you have insurance or not.