Levodopa : Interaction with Foods, Herbs & Alcohol
To ensure your well-being, it is crucial to comprehend the reasons behind avoiding specific food, herbs, and alcohol while taking Levodopa. Such interactions can lead to undesirable side effects and potentially impact the efficacy of the medication. Also familiarize yourself on how and when to take the medication for maximum benefit.
Levodopa, available as a tablet, can be taken once or twice daily with or without food. Always adhere to the prescription label instructions and avoid exceeding the suggested dosage.
Levodopa, available as a tablet, can be taken once or twice daily with or without food. Always adhere to the prescription label instructions and avoid exceeding the suggested dosage.
Levodopa is an antiparkinson agent, relieves some symptoms of Parkinson�s disease, including tremors, stiffness, and slowness of movement. It also may improve your gait, posture, swallowing, speech, handwriting, vigor, alertness, and sense of well-being and may control excess salivation and seborrhoea (oily, crusty, scaly skin). Levodopa is also used to relieve bone pain caused by cancer and to control pain caused by shingles.
Levodopa Interactions with Food and Herbs
High Protein foods: When on Levodopa, avoid having high protein foods like cheese,meats and other dairy products as it may decrease the drug's absorption into the body (1✔).High Fiber foods: Avoid taking high fiber foods with Levodopa, it may delay gastric emptying, which can decrease and delay the absorption of Levodopa (2✔).
Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) has been found to reduce the effects of Levodopa when it is taken alone. This does not happen with the combination of Carbidopa and Levodopa. When taking Levodopa do not take Vitamin and protein rich products such as bananas, eggs, meats and peanuts (3✔).
Levodopa Interactions with Alcohol
Drinking Alcohol while taking Levodopa can increase the side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness and difficulty in concentrating (4✔).How to Take the Medication - Levodopa
- Levodopa is available in the form of oral inhaler which is used by inhaling the dry powder contained in the capsule.
- The capsule is intended for inhalation purpose only.
- Do not exceed 5 doses in a day.
- Follow the instructions carefully as given in the prescription.
- Do not discontinue the medicine without consulting your physician(5✔).
References
1.Levodopa: Micromedex Drug Information
https://www.micromedexsolutions.com/micromedex2/librarian/PFDefaultActionId/evid encexpert.DoIntegratedSearch?navitem=topHome&isToolPage=true#
2.Levodopa: Food, Alcohol, Supplements and Drug Interactions
https://www.wellrx.com/sinemet%2025-100/lifestyle-interactions/#
3.Levodopa: Drug Information
https://www.apdaparkinson.org/article/nutrition-and-parkinsons-disease-part-one/
4.Levodopa: Alcohol/food Interactions
https://www.drugs.com/drug-interactions/levodopa-with-vitamin-b6-1456-0-1972-3743.html
5.Levodopa:Medlineplus Drug Information
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a619018.html