Novartis Stalevo

Description

Active Ingredient: This medicine is a combination of three active ingredients, Carbidopa, Levodopa, and Entacapone. Carbidopa is a propanoic acid in which the hydrogens alpha- to the carboxyl group is substituted by hydrazine and methyl groups. This ingredient is a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor the prevents conversion of levodopa to dopamine.

Levodopa is an Aromatic Amino Acid Decarboxylation Inhibitor. It is an amino acid precursor of dopamine and used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Entacapone is a Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Inhibitor used in the therapy of Parkinson’s disease as adjunctive therapy in combination with levodopa and carbidopa.

Indications: A combination drug consisting of levodopa, carbidopa, and entacapone i.e. Stalevo is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This medicine can be used to substitute with equivalent strengths of each of the three components i.e. carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone.

Action Mechanism: This medication is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. In a condition of Parkinson’s disease is due to a lack of an important chemical like dopamine in the brain. The ingredient Levodopa is converted into dopamine in the brain, leading to the relief of Parkinson’s disease symptoms. The other two ingredients are given with levodopa to increase its amount.

Dosages: The medicine is a combination of three active components. Stalevo is available in three dosages as follows:

• 12.5 mg + 50 mg + 200 mg: This oral drug is to be consumed with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 3 to 4 times a day
• 25 mg + 100 mg + 200 mg: This tablet should be taken 3 to 4 times a day as prescribed by the doctor
• 37.5 mg+ 150 mg + 200 mg: This medicine must be consumed 3 to 4 times a day with a glass of water as mentioned in the prescription by the doctor

Note: Recommended to avoid a high-protein diet while treating with this medicine, it may decrease the amount of levodopa in the body.

What is Stalevo?

Stalevo is an oral drug formulation developed by Novartis that contains a combination of three different drugs — carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone.

What is Stalevo used for?

Stalevo is used to treat Parkinson’s disease. The three work together to boost the amount of dopamine in the brain, thereby relieving the symptoms of Parkinson’s.

How does Stalevo work?

Levodopa in Stalevo is a precursor of dopamine, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and be converted into dopamine in the brain. When levodopa is administered orally, it is rapidly broken down by a biological process called decarboxylation that limits the amount reaching the brain. This is prevented by carbidopa, a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor, which inhibits the decarboxylation of levodopa, making more levodopa available for the brain.

What are contraindications of Stalevo?

Stalevo is contraindicated for patients who have demonstrated hypersensitivity to any component (carbidopa, levodopa, or entacapone) of the drug or its excipients. Other nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors should not be used together with Stalevo.

What are other drug interactions with Stalevo?

Some drugs may interact with Stalevo such as anti-hypertensive agents or antidepressants. Follow the doctor’s advice regarding drug interactions.