Dhivy

Dhivy may be used by itself or with other medications to help relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease, like stiffness or tremors in adults.

Dhivy is also used in adults to treat Parkinson's disease caused by infections, carbon monoxide poisoning, or manganese poisoning.

Dhivy may also be used for reasons that are not included in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Stop taking any other medications that contain Dhivy when you start taking the extended-release form.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using it exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your doctor.

Take this medicine at evenly spaced intervals. Follow your doctor's instructions about whether to take your medication with food or on an empty stomach.

Swallow the capsule whole and do not crush, chew, break, or open it. The tablet is sometimes broken in half to give the correct dose. Always swallow a whole or half tablet without chewing or crushing.

If you cannot swallow an extended-release capsule whole, open it and mix the medicine with applesauce. Swallow the mixture right away without chewing.

Remove an orally disintegrating tablet from the package with dry hands only when you are ready to use the medicine. Allow the orally disintegrating tablet to dissolve in your mouth without chewing.

It may take up to several weeks before your symptoms improve. Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if the effects of this medicine wear off quickly between doses.

Dhivy will most likely darken the color of your saliva, urine, or sweat to an orange or red color. This is a normal effect and is not harmful. This may also cause stains to your underwear that may be permanent.

You may need frequent medical tests, and your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Dhivy.

Do not stop using Dhivy suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms (such as agitation, confusion, tingling). Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.

You may need to follow a special diet. Learn about the foods you should eat or avoid.

Store tightly closed at room temperature, away from moisture, heat, and light.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken a MAO inhibitor in the last 14 days, including isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

Some people may have thoughts of suicide while taking Dhivy. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any sudden changes in your mood or behavior, or if you have thoughts of suicide.

You should not use Dhivy if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients, or if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use Dhivy if you have taken a MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could happen. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine. Wait at least 14 days after stopping a MAO inhibitor before taking this medicine.

If you are already taking levodopa, you must stop taking it at least 12 hours before starting Dhivy.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

• an endocrine disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, or heart attack;
• asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or other breathing disorder;
• skin cancer (melanoma), a stomach or intestinal ulcer;
• glaucoma, depression, mental illness, or psychosis;
• if you received general anesthesia; or
• liver or kidney disease.

The orally disintegrating tablet may contain phenylalanine and could be harmful if you have phenylketonuria (PKU). Ask your doctor about your risk.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking Dhivy. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Your family or caregivers should also watch for sudden changes in your behavior.

People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.

It is not known if Dhivy will harm an unborn baby. The benefit of this treatment may outweigh any risks to the mother and baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Ask a doctor if it is safe to breastfeed while using Dhivy.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Tell your doctor right away if you have new or sudden changes in mood or behavior, including depression or anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, aggressive, more active or talkative, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Some people taking Dhivy have fallen asleep during normal daytime activities such as working or driving after starting Dhivy and up to a year after. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with daytime sleepiness.

Dhivy may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• signs of stomach bleeding--bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
• uncontrolled muscle movements, blurred vision, eye pain or redness, seeing halos around lights; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

You may have increased sexual urges, unusual urges to gamble, or other intense urges while taking this medicine. Talk with your doctor if this occurs.

Your dose may be reduced or permanently discontinued if you have certain side effects.

Common side effects of Dhivy may include:

• uncontrolled muscle movements;
• dry mouth, anxiety, headache, dizziness;
• drops in blood pressure or feeling light-headed when standing up;
• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams, muscle contractions; or
• nausea, vomiting, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Get your prescription refilled before you completely run out of medicine.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Avoid driving or doing anything dangerous until you know how Dhivy will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents, or serious injuries. Also, avoid getting up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Avoid taking iron supplements, high-fat, or high-calorie meals before or after taking Dhivy. These can make it harder for your body to absorb this medicine.

Using Dhivy with other medications that cause drowsiness can make you feel even sleepier. Talk to your doctor before using opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures.

When you begin or stop taking Dhivy, your doctor may need to change the doses of other medicines you regularly take.

Inform your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• phenytoin, metoclopramide;
• papaverine, isoniazid, selegiline, reserpine, tetrabenazine;
• vitamin or mineral supplements that contain iron; or
• medicines for blood pressure, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, mood disorders, or mental illnesses like schizophrenia.

This list is not complete. Other medications may affect Dhivy, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.