Stalevo 75

Stalevo 75 (Stalevo) is a combination medicine that helps treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control.

Stalevo may also be used for other reasons that are not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instructions. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush, chew, or break it.

Take only one tablet at each dosing time. Do not take more than 1 tablet at a time or take a part of a broken tablet. Mixing more than one tablet or parts of tablets may lead to an overdose.

Take your doses at regular intervals to maintain a steady amount of the drug in your body. Ask your doctor if you should take Stalevo with or without food.

Tell your doctor if the effects of this medicine seem to wear off quickly between doses.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily get dehydrated from vomiting or diarrhea. Drink plenty of liquids if you are unwell.

Do not take any other medications for Parkinson's disease that your doctor has not prescribed.

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

Do not stop using Stalevo suddenly, as this may cause unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medicine.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

You should not use this medicine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use this medicine if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

You should not take Stalevo 75 if you are allergic to carbidopa, entacapone, or levodopa, or if you have:

• narrow-angle glaucoma.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• glaucoma;
• depression or other mental illness;
• a stomach ulcer; or
• liver disease.

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

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Stalevo 75 may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• worsening symptoms such as tremors, twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
• depressed mood, thoughts about hurting yourself;
• hallucinations, unusual behaviors;
• severe nausea and vomiting;
• severe or ongoing diarrhea, diarrhea that is watery;
• unexplained muscle pain, tenderness, or weakness;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• fluid build-up in or around the lungs--pain when you breathe, feeling short of breath while lying down, wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus, cold, clammy skin, anxiety, rapid heartbeats; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats.

Stalevo 75 may cause you to fall asleep during normal daytime activities such as working, talking, eating, or driving. You may fall asleep suddenly, even after feeling alert. Tell your doctor if you have any issues with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.

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

You may notice that your sweat, urine, or saliva appears dark in color, such as red, brown, or black. This is not a harmful side effect, but it may stain your clothes or bed sheets.

Common side effects of Stalevo 75 may include:

• involuntary muscle movement;
• diarrhea;
• nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• discolored urine; or
• dry mouth.

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 if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

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

Symptoms of an overdose may include rapid heartbeats and feeling light-headed.

Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you know how Stalevo 75 will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Do not get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Do not take iron supplements without your doctor's advice. Also, do not increase the amount of protein in your diet (protein sources include meat, eggs, and cheese). Taking iron or consuming too much protein can make it harder for your body to digest and absorb Stalevo.

Using Stalevo with other medications that cause drowsiness can make you feel even more tired. Talk to your doctor before taking opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many medications can interact with Stalevo. This includes both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, as well as vitamins and herbal products. Not all potential interactions are mentioned here. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medicines you begin or stop using.