Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Selegiline (Zelapar) and Carbidopa (Lodosyn) are both used to help manage symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), but they work in different ways and have distinct characteristics. Selegiline is a monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitor that helps prevent the breakdown of dopamine in your brain, extending the effects of levodopa. It comes in tablets, capsules, and orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), with the tablet and capsule forms available as lower-cost generics. Carbidopa, on the other hand, is a decarboxylase inhibitor that helps more levodopa reach your brain by preventing its breakdown before it gets there. Carbidopa must be taken with levodopa and is available in a lower-cost generic form. Selegiline can cause high blood pressure if you eat foods rich in tyramine, while Carbidopa can cause dark-colored bodily fluids and usually needs to be taken multiple times a day. Both medications can cause sleepiness, hallucinations, and changes in behavior, but Selegiline also has a risk of serotonin syndrome when taken with certain other medications.

  • Selegiline
    Carbidopa (Lodosyn)
  • Selegiline
    Carbidopa (Lodosyn)

  • Summary of Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Summary for MAO-B inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Selegiline helps relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease in people who have "off" episodes as their carbidopa/levodopa medication starts to wear off. Selegiline is a type of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which is a drug class that has many drug interactions. Generic selegiline tablets and capsules are taken twice per day; the brand name for the pills, Eldepryl, is no longer available. Selegiline also comes as orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) under the brand name Zelapar that are dissolved on the tongue once per day. Side effects include changes in blood pressure, nausea, and dizziness.

    Summary for Decarboxylase inhibitor
    Prescription only

    Carbidopa (Lodosyn) is taken with Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) or levodopa alone to treat adults with symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), like shakiness and slowed movement. The medication belongs to the decarboxylase inhibitor class and it works by helping levodopa better travel into your brain so it can relieve your symptoms. This might allow some people to take a lower dose of levodopa, which can lower some of its side effects. Side effects include fatigue, a drop in blood pressure, changes in urination, and weight changes.

  • Indications of Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Indications for
    •Relief of "off" episodes in people with Parkinson's disease (PD) who are taking a carbidopa/levodopa medication
    Indications for

    When taken together with levodopa or Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa):

    •Parkinson's disease (PD)
    •Parkinsonism

  • Pros and Cons of Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Pros and Const for MAO-B inhibitor
    Pros
    •Extends the actions of carbidopa/levodopa to relieve PD symptoms
    •Comes as tablets, capsules, and ODTs
    •Taken once or twice a day, depending on the form of the medication
    Cons
    •Doesn't work well when you take it by itself; must take in addition to a carbidopa/levodopa medication
    •Commonly causes nausea and dizziness
    Pros and Const for Decarboxylase inhibitor
    Pros
    •Helps levodopa relieve your Parkinson's symptoms
    •Might allow some people to take a lower dose of levodopa, which can ease side effects like nausea and vomiting
    •Can split the tablet in half as needed
    •Available in a lower-cost generic form
    Cons
    •Doesn't work when used alone and must be taken with levodopa
    •Might need to be taken multiple times per day
    •Can cause psychotic behavior and strong urges
    •Can make you fall asleep suddenly with or without warning

  • Common Side Effects of Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Common Side Effects for

    Selegiline tablets and capsules:

    •Nausea (20%)
    •Dizziness (14%)
    •Stomach pain (8%)
    •Confusion (6%)
    •Hallucinations (6%)
    •Dry mouth (6%)

    Zelapar (selegiline) ODTs:

    •Nausea (11%)
    •Dizziness (11%)
    •General body pain (8%)
    •Headache (7%)
    •Trouble sleeping (7%)
    •Runny nose (7%)
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia; 6%)
    •Skin irritation (6%)
    •Back pain (5%)
    •Indigestion (5%)
    •Inflamed or sore mouth (5%)
    •Other irritation in the mouth (e.g., pain when swallowing, pain in mouth, mouth sores)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia)
    •Nausea

  • Warnings of Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Common Side Effects for
    •High blood pressure
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Extreme sleepiness and falling asleep during activities
    •Low blood pressure and risk of falls
    •Difficulty controlling body movements
    •Hallucinations and behavior changes
    •Intense urges
    •Caution in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - Zelapar ODTs only
    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
    •High fevers and confusion (from levodopa)
    •Impulsive behavior
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Depression and suicidal thoughts and behavior
    •Skin cancer

  • Prices with our coupons for Zelapar vs. Carbidopa

    Learn more about Selegiline
    Learn more about Carbidopa

Compare other Parkinson's Disease drugs

Eldepryl vs AzilectEldepryl vs CarbidopaEldepryl vs Carbidopa LevodopaEldepryl vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeEldepryl vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseEldepryl vs DuopaEldepryl vs RytaryEldepryl vs SymmetrelEntacapone vs EldeprylMirapex vs EldeprylTasmar vs EldeprylCogentin vs SymmetrelEntacapone vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeEntacapone vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseEntacapone vs DuopaEntacapone vs RytaryGocovri vs RytaryMirapex vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeMirapex vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseMirapex vs DuopaMirapex vs RytaryNeupro vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeRelenza vs SymmetrelRequip vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeRimantadine vs SymmetrelRytary vs StalevoTasmar vs Carbidopa Levodopa EntacaponeTasmar vs Carbidopa Levodopa Extended ReleaseTasmar vs DuopaTasmar vs Rytary
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.