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Stalevo vs. Rytary

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

Stalevo

 

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Rytary

(carbidopa / levodopa)

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Summary for Stalevo

Prescription only

Stalevo is a combination medication that treats Parkinson's disease (PD) in adults. It contains carbidopa and levodopa, which help raise dopamine levels in the brain to improve PD symptoms. It also has entacapone, which works as a COMT inhibitor to help the effects last longer. Stalevo helps lessen "off" time (when movement symptoms come back as the medication wears off). Side effects include involuntary movements, nausea, and diarrhea.

Indications for Stalevo

Pros and Cons for Stalevo

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 for Stalevo

  • 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 for Stalevo

  • 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)
  • Low vitamin B6 levels and seizures
  • Interactions with other medications
  • Risk of stomach bleeding in people who've had a stomach ulcer

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

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 Stalevo vs. Rytary

Price Card Drug Icon
Carbidopa/Levodopa/Entacapone90 tablets / 50mg/200mg/200mg
$55.25$287.80
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Carbidopa/Levodopa ER90 capsules / 48.75mg/195mg
$278.93$353.84
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