General information on Prolopa CR
The drug Prolopa CR is used for treatment of Parkinsonism. The common names of the drug are Benserazide and Levodopa.
This drug helps in controlling Parkinsonism symptoms in patients by regulating the chemical imbalance in their brains. Levodopa only relieves symptoms of Parkinsonism however it does not slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease.
Levodopa can be taken alone. However, if taken with Benserazide it can curb side effects such as nausea and vomiting that are generally related with the use of Levodopa alone.
A patient should buy Prolopa CR only with a doctor's prescription. Besides, the capsules of Prolopa CR must not be opened prior to ingestion since it is a sustained release drug and will lose its characteristics.
Side effects of Prolopa CR
Some of the less serious side effects reported in some patients taking Prolopa CR are:
- Impairment or loss of voluntary activity
- Erratic breathing
- Swelling of the face, hands, lower legs or feet
- Headache
- Impaired ability to think
- Lower back pain
- Trouble sleeping
- Unusual or excessive tiredness
A patients should seek immediate medical help if he/she exhibits the following severe side effects:
- Twitching and twisting
- Fearfulness or other mental changes
- Involuntary movement of the limbs and facial muscles
- Inability to move the eyes
- Agitation and delusion
- Sudden freezing and instability in posture
Dosage of Prolopa CR
The available strengths of Prolopa CR are: Prolopa CR 50-12.5 containing Benserazide 12.5 mg and Levodopa 50 mg; Prolopa CR 100-25 containing Benserazide 25 mg and Levodopa 100 mg; and Prolopa CR 200-50 containing Benserazide 50 mg and Levodopa 200 mg .
In the beginning, a low dose of Prolopa CR is given to a patients and is gradually increased to reduce side effects and help a patient attain maximum benefit of the drug.
The recommended dosage is one capsule of Levodopa 100 mg and Benserazide 25 mg one or two times a day. Doctors increase the dosage gradually by one capsule every third or fourth day until patients achieves the best results. When the dose is maintained, a doctor will elevate the dose at an interval of 15 days to 1 month. This dose should be divided so that a patient takes the medication at least four times a day soon after meals. The recommended dose Prolopa CR is 4 to 8 capsules of Benserazide 25 mg and Levodopa 100 mg a day divided into a minimum of four and maximum of six doses.
Patients who are allergic to Levodopa or Benserazide, are unable to take sympathomimetic amines like epinephrine and who have taken MAQ inhibitors like phenezine and trancylcypromine within 15 days of taking Levodopa or Benserazide should not take Prolopa CR. Patients with heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, narrow angle glaucoma, or a psychiatric disorder should avoid this drug. Women under the age of 25 years as well as pregnant women should avoid Prolopa CR.
Interactions
Prolopa CR has interactions with many other drugs. The include tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and desipramine, sympathomimetic drugs such as epinephrine and trihexyphenidyl, ferrous sulphate, amantadine, selegiline, anesthetics, metoclopramide, pyridoxine, dopamine agonists and phenytoin.
