Proper Use of This Medicine

At first, levodopa and benserazide may be taken with a meal or a snack, so that any effects like stomach upset will be lessened. Later, as your body becomes accustomed to the medicine, it should be taken on an empty stomach so that it works better. Be sure to talk to your doctor about the best time for you to take this medicine.

The levodopa and benserazide capsules should be swallowed whole and not opened or dissolved in liquid.

Take this medicine only as directed . Do not take more or less of it, and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered.

Some people must take this medicine for several weeks or months before full benefit is received. Do not stop taking it even if you do not think it is working . Instead, check with your doctor.

Dosing—The dose of levodopa or carbidopa and levodopa combination will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of levodopa or carbidopa and levodopa combination. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of tablets that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on your special needs .

For levodopa and benserazide
• For Parkinson's disease—start of therapy:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Adults—At first, 1 capsule of Prolopa[reg ] 100-25 (levodopa 100 milligrams (mg) and benserazide 25 mg) twice daily. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 4 to 8 capsules of Prolopa[reg ] 100-25 per day (400 to 800 mg levodopa) divided into 4 to 6 doses. If you are already on levodopa, the doctor will start you on a lower dose of Prolopa[reg ]. After time, the previous levodopa therapy will be replaced with the levodopa and benserazide combination.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For Parkinson's disease—maintain therapy:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Adults—After several weeks, the doctor will determine your optimal dose of levodopa and benserazide. Your doctor may then switch you to Prolopa[reg ] 200-50 (levodopa 200 milligrams (mg) and benserazide 50 mg) to make it more convenient to match your optimal dose. Some patients may require frequent dosing in which case your doctor may use Prolopa[reg ] 50-12.5 (50 mg levodopa and 12.5 mg benserazide). Frequent dosing may be used to maximize your dose and minimize any side effects.
      During the first year of therapy, the total daily dose of levodopa should not exceed 1000 to 1200 mg.
    • Children up to 18 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if your next scheduled dose is within 2 hours, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.