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Compare Sinemet vs. Stalevo

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

Key takeaways

Sinemet (carbidopa/levodopa) and Stalevo (carbidopa/levodopa/entacapone) are both used to treat Parkinson's disease (PD) symptoms like shakiness and slowed movement. Sinemet combines carbidopa and levodopa, while Stalevo adds a third ingredient, entacapone. The addition of entacapone in Stalevo helps levodopa stay in your body longer, reducing "off" periods when symptoms return. Sinemet is available in immediate-release, extended-release, and orally disintegrating tablets, whereas Stalevo is only available in an immediate-release tablet. Both medications can cause sleepiness and dark-colored bodily fluids, but Stalevo can cause diarrhea that may last awhile. Sinemet is often a first-choice treatment, while Stalevo is useful if you need longer-lasting symptom relief. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic versions.

Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)
Stalevo
Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)
Stalevo
Summary of Sinemet vs. Stalevo
Summary for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
Prescription only
Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is a combination medication made up of carbidopa and levodopa. It's one of the first-choice options for Parkinson's disease (PD) to relieve symptoms, such as shakiness and slowed movement. The medication comes in many forms and strengths, but it must be taken multiple times per day in order to relieve your PD symptoms.
Summary for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement / COMT inhibitor
Prescription only
Stalevo is a combination medication that treats Parkinson's disease (PD) in adults. It has carbidopa (a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor), levodopa (a dopamine replacement), and entacapone (a COMT inhibitor). The addition of entacapone helps the effects of the medication last longer. This helps lessen "off" time (when movement symptoms come back as the medication wears off). Side effects include involuntary movements, nausea, and diarrhea. Stalevo is available as a brand name and generic.
Indications of Sinemet vs. Stalevo
Indications for

•Parkinson's disease (PD)

•Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have signs and symptoms of PD, including slowness, stiffness, shakiness, and imbalance)

Indications for

•Parkinson's disease (PD)
Pros and Cons of Sinemet vs. Stalevo
Pros and Const for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
Pros

•First-choice option for treating PD symptoms

•Available in many forms: immediate-release tablets, extended-release tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets

•Available in multiple strengths, so your provider can prescribe a higher dose if needed

•Available in a lower-cost generic form

Cons

•Usually needs to be taken multiple times per day to control PD symptoms

•Can make you very sleepy and cause you to fall asleep suddenly

•Can darken the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine

•Might not work as well if your PD symptoms worsen

Pros and Const for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement / COMT inhibitor
Pros

•Combines three medications into a single pill, so you don't have to take as many tablets to control your PD symptoms

•Helps relieve PD symptoms for a longer period of time than carbidopa/levodopa alone

•Available in six different strengths, so your prescriber can adjust your dose if needed

•Okay to take if you have kidney problems

Cons

•Usually need to take multiple times per day to help relieve PD symptoms

•Might need to first take immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone separately until you find the right dose before switching to Stalevo

•Can make you very sleepy and cause you to fall asleep all of a sudden

•Can make the color of your saliva, sweat, and urine darker
Common Side Effects of Sinemet vs. Stalevo
Common Side Effects for

•Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia, 12-17%)

•Nausea (6%)

Common Side Effects for

•Involuntary movements (dyskinesia, 25%)

•Nausea (14%)

•Rapid involuntary movements (10%)

•Diarrhea (10%)

•Changes in the color of your urine (10%)

•Slow involuntary movements (9%)

•Stomach pain (8%)

•Dizziness (8%)

•Constipation (6%)

•Tiredness (6%)

•Back pain (5%)
Warnings of Sinemet vs. Stalevo
Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities

•High fevers and confusion

•Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts

•Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior

•Skin cancer

Common Side Effects for

•Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities

•Low blood pressure and fainting

•Risk of depression and suicidal behavior

•Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts

•Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior

•High fevers and confusion with treatment changes

•Diarrhea and inflamed colon (colitis)

•Severe muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis)

•Interactions with other medications

•Risk of stomach bleeding in people who've had a stomach ulcer
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Compare Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Key takeaways

Summary of Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Indications of Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Pros and Cons of Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Common Side Effects of Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Warnings of Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Prices with our coupons for Sinemet vs. Stalevo

Compare other Parkinson's Disease drugs

Browse medications

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