What is Stalevo 50?
Stalevo 50 is a combination medication used to treat Parkinson's symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and spasms. Stalevo can be used in other ways not mentioned in this guide.
Side effects of Stalevo 50
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
Stalevo 50 may cause serious side effects. If you experience:
- If you experience worsening symptoms, such as uncontrollable movements or twitching of your lips, tongue, eyes, arms, or legs,
- Depressed mood and thoughts of harming yourself
- Hallucinations and unusual behavior;
- Severe nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea that is severe or persistent; watery diarrhea;
- Unexplained muscle tenderness or weakness,
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Fluid buildup around or in the lungs causes pain when you breathe. Feeling short of breath, lie down. Wheezing. Coughing up foamy mucus. Cold, clammy, anxious skin. Rapid heartbeats.
- Severe nervous system reaction: very stiff (rigid muscles), high fever, sweating or confusion, fast heartbeats
Stalevo 50 can cause you to fall asleep while doing normal activities during the day, such as driving, working, talking, or eating. Even though you feel alert, you may suddenly fall asleep. You should tell your doctor if there are any issues with daytime sleepiness or drowsiness.
While taking this medication, you may experience increased sexual desire, urges to gamble, or other intense desires. If this happens, talk to your doctor. Your urine, saliva or sweat may appear dark-colored; reddish brown or even black in hue. It is not harmful, but your clothing or bed sheets may be stained.
Stalevo 50 can cause the following side effects:
- Involuntary muscular movement
- Diarrhea;
- Nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain;
- Discolored urine
- Dry mouth
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. The FDA can be contacted at 1-800-FDA-1088 to report side effects.
Warnings
This medicine should not be used if you suffer from narrow-angle glaucoma. If you've taken an MAO-inhibitor in the last 14 days (such as isocarboxazid or linezolid), do not take this medication.
Before you take this drug
Stalevo 50 should not be taken if:
- Narrow-angle glaucoma.
You should not take this medication if you've taken an MAO-inhibitor in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug-drug interaction may occur. MAO inhibitors are isocarboxazid (linezolid), phenelzine (phenelzine injection), rasagiline (selegiline), methylene-blue injection, and others.
Tell your doctor about any of the following:
- Glaucoma;
- Mental illness such as depression
- A stomach ulcer,
- Liver disease.
People with Parkinson’s disease are at a greater risk for skin carcinoma (melanoma). Consult your doctor for information on skin symptoms.
How to take Stalevo 50?
Please follow all instructions or guides included with your medication carefully, and take it exactly as prescribed by your physician. Dosage changes may occur and it's essential that you take your pills exactly as instructed. Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet. Do not take more than one tablet per dose. Take only one tablet or a small portion of one broken tablet. Overdosing can occur if you combine more than one tablet or portions of a tablet.
To ensure that you always have the same amount of drug in your system, take your doses regularly. Stalevo can be taken with or without eating. Ask your doctor for advice. If the effects of your medicine seem to fade quickly between doses, tell your doctor. If you have diarrhea or vomiting or are sweating more often than normal, call your doctor. Vomiting or diarrhea can cause dehydration. If you're sick, drink plenty of fluids. You should not take any medication for Parkinson's that has not been prescribed by your doctor.
It can interfere with certain medical tests. Stalevo can affect the results of certain medical tests. You may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Stalevo. You should ask your doctor about how to safely discontinue this medication. Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Keep the bottle tightly shut when not in use.
What happens if I miss the dose?
If your next dose is almost due, skip any missed ones to avoid taking two of the same medicine simultaneously.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 for poison help or seek immediate medical attention. Rapid heartbeat and lightheadedness are two symptoms of overdose.
What should be avoided?
Stalevo 50 can affect your reactions. Wait to drive or engage in any risky activities until you know exactly how they will affect you. You may have impaired reactions. You may feel dizzy if you get up quickly from a seated or lying position.
Do not take iron supplements without consulting your doctor. Avoid increasing your intake of protein (such as meat, eggs, and cheese). Iron or too much protein may make it difficult for your body's ability to absorb and digest Stalevo.
Interaction with other drug
Stalevo can make you more drowsy if taken with other drugs.Before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants or medications to treat anxiety or seizures, consult your physician first. Stalevo can be affected by many drugs. These include prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not cover all possible interactions. Please inform your doctor of any medications you are currently taking as well as those that you will stop or start taking in order to properly assess risk and ensure optimal care.
