Co-careldopa is used to treat the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease. It can help with shaking (tremors), slowness and stiffness. These are called motor symptoms because they affect the way you move.
Parkinson's disease can make it harder for your brain to send messages to your muscles. This can make you shake, make your muscles stiff or slow your movements. Co-careldopa works by making it easier for your brain to send messages to your muscles again.
Co-careldopa contains 2 medicines, called levodopa and carbidopa. These are both used for Parkinson's disease.
It’s available on prescription only. It comes as tablets, including slow-release tablets that get the medicine into your body gradually.
Duodopa gel
Co-careldopa can sometimes be used as a gel, called Duodopa, that goes through a tube into your small intestine. You’ll need to have surgery to have the tube fitted.
Your specialist may recommend Duodopa gel if your symptoms are difficult to manage and tablets are no longer working.
Key facts
- Co-careldopa helps with motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors and stiffness. It does not help with non-motor symptoms such as depression or losing your sense of smell.
- You may feel co-careldopa beginning to work after your first dose but it usually takes up to 1 week to feel the full effects.
- The most common side effects of co-careldopa are feeling sick or dizzy, problems sleeping and uncontrollable jerking movements.
- It's important to take your tablets at the same time each day. This is important to control your symptoms.
- Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly. If you need to stop taking it, your doctor or specialist nurse will reduce your dose gradually.