Like all medicines, co-careldopa can cause side effects in some people, but many people have no side effects or only minor ones.
Common side effects
These common side effects of co-careldopa happen in more than 1 in 100 people. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Loss of appetite
If you lose your appetite, eat when you would usually expect to be hungry. It may help to eat smaller meals, more often than usual.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
Having a low-protein snack (such as a plain biscuit or cracker) with your medicine may help if you're feeling or being sick.
If you're being sick, take small sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee.
If you take the combined contraceptive pill or progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.
Feeling dizzy when you get up from sitting or lying down
If you feel dizzy when you stand up, try getting up very slowly or stay sitting down until you feel better. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint, then sit until you feel better.
Do not drive, cycle, or use tools or machines if you feel dizzy. Do not drink alcohol as it may make you feel worse.
Problems sleeping (insomnia)
Avoid big meals, smoking, or drinking alcohol or drinks containing caffeine, such as tea or coffee, in the evening. Try not to watch TV or use your mobile phone before going to bed, and relax for an hour before bedtime.
Do not take any sleep remedies, including herbal medicines, without talking to a pharmacist or your specialist nurse first.
Uncontrollable twitching, twisting or writhing movements (dyskinesias)
Let your doctor or specialist nurse know as soon as possible.
Some people also notice that their pee, sweat or saliva turns a reddish colour. This is normal with co-careldopa and is not dangerous.
Keep taking the medicine, but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and these side effects bother you or do not go away.
Serious side effects
It's possible to have serious side effects with co-careldopa. Some of these are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people. Others are more common.
Talk to your doctor or specialist nurse if you:
- start gambling, binge eating or shopping uncontrollably or have an unusually high sex drive – these can be signs of impulse control disorder
- have cravings for larger doses of co-careldopa than you need to control your symptoms – these can be signs of dopamine dysregulation syndrome
- feel unusually sleepy or suddenly fall asleep during the day
Call your doctor or call 111 now if you:
- get mouth ulcers, bruising or bleeding gums – these can be caused by a blood problem
- feel light-headed or faint
- have strange or unusual thoughts, including thinking things that are not true (delusions)
- see things that are not there (hallucinations)
- have mood changes, including anxiety or depression
- are thinking about hurting yourself
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E now if you:
- have chest pain or problems breathing
- have a fast heartbeat (palpitations)
- have a seizure or fit
- have blood in your vomit
- have black poo – this can be a sign of bleeding in your stomach
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to co-careldopa.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Long-term effects
If you take co-careldopa for a long time or at a high dose, uncontrolled movements (called dyskinesias) are more likely. These can include twitching, twisting or writhing movements. Speak to your doctor or specialist nurse if this happens.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of co-careldopa. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.