Carbidopa/Levodopa Nursing Considerations, Side Effects, Mechanism of Action Pharmacology for Nurses

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Carbidopa/levodopa
Generic Name: carbidopa/levodopa
Trade Name: Sinemet
Indication: Parkinson's disease
Action: levodopa is converted to dopamine and works as a neurotransmitter, carbidopa prevents the destruction of levodopa allowing it to cross the blood brain barrier
Therapeutic Class: Antiparkinson agent
Pharmacologic Class: Dopamine Agonist
Nursing Considerations:
 may cause orthostatic hypotension
 may cause dark urine
 weeks to months to take effect
 do not use with MAOIs
 do not use with glaucoma, melanoma
 assess for parkinsonian symptoms
 instruct patient to take as directed

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