Dhivy vs. Rytary for Parkinson's Disease: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Dhivy

(carbidopa / levodopa)

Rytary

(carbidopa / levodopa)

Summary for Dhivy

Prescription only

Dhivy (carbidopa / levodopa) is FDA approved to treat adults with Parkinson's disease (PD). It can also treat conditions that cause PD symptoms. This medication raises the dopamine levels in the brain to help with PD symptoms like tremors and slowed movement. It comes as a tablet and is taken by mouth multiple times per day. The tablet has grooves (score lines) that make it easy to break for dosing and for people with trouble swallowing. Side effects include movement problems, nausea, and hallucinations.

Indications for Dhivy

Parkinson's disease (PD)
Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have PD symptoms, like slowness, stiffness, and tremors)

Pros and Cons for Dhivy

Pros

Tablets can be broken into smaller pieces if needed (for your specific dose or easier swallowing)
First-choice option for treating PD symptoms
Might work within 1 hour

Cons

Often need to take several times per day to manage PD symptoms
Can make you very sleepy and possibly sudden sleep episodes
Can darken the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine

Common Side Effects for Dhivy

Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia)
Nausea

Warnings for Dhivy

Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
High fevers and confusion when lowering the dose or stopping too suddenly
Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
Risk of depression and thoughts of suicide
Low vitamin B6 levels and seizures
Caution use in people with a history of heart attack and arrhythmia
Caution use in people with a history of stomach ulcers
Higher eye pressure in people with glaucoma

Summary for Rytary

Prescription only

Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) is a combination medication that helps treat adults with symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). It raises the dopamine levels in the brain to improve symptoms like stiff muscles and slowed movement. Rytary (carbidopa / levodopa) is an extended-release capsule. The typical dosage is taken by mouth three times a day. Common side effects include nausea, headache, and dizziness.

Indications for Rytary

Parkinson's disease (PD)
Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have PD symptoms, including tremors, slowness, and stiffness)

Pros and Cons for Rytary

Pros

Can provide more "on" time and less "off" time than immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa in people with advanced PD
Available in 4 different strengths
Can open capsule and sprinkle contents onto applesauce if you have trouble swallowing pills whole

Cons

Usually need to take multiple times per day
Can make you very sleepy and cause you to fall asleep suddenly
Interacts with certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and iron

Common Side Effects for Rytary

Nausea (up to 20%)
Dizziness (up to 19%)
Headache (up to 17%)
Trouble sleeping (up to 9%)
Dry mouth (up to 7%)
Unusual dreams (up to 6%)
Constipation (up to 6%)
Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, up to 5%)
Anxiety (up to 5%)
Vomiting (up to 5%)
Drop in blood pressure when you get up (up to 5%)

Warnings for Rytary

Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
High fevers and confusion with treatment changes
Heart problems
Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
Low vitamin B6 levels and seizures
Stomach bleeding in people who've had a stomach ulcer
Rise in eye pressure in people with glaucoma

Prices with our coupons for Dhivy vs. Rytary

Dhivy90 tablets / 25mg/100mg

$130.14$410.07

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Carbidopa/Levodopa ER90 capsules / 23.75mg/95mg

$268.20$403.75

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Dhivy vs. Rytary

Dhivy

Rytary

Summary for Dhivy

Indications for Dhivy

Pros and Cons for Dhivy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dhivy

Warnings for Dhivy

Summary for Rytary

Indications for Rytary

Pros and Cons for Rytary

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Rytary

Warnings for Rytary

Prices with our coupons for Dhivy vs. Rytary

Browse medications by letter

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Dhivy

Rytary

Summary for Dhivy

Indications for Dhivy

Pros and Cons for Dhivy

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Dhivy

Warnings for Dhivy

Summary for Rytary

Indications for Rytary

Pros and Cons for Rytary

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Rytary

Warnings for Rytary