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

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

Parkinson's disease (PD)

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

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 Stalevo vs. Rytary

Carbidopa/Levodopa/Entacapone360 tablets / 50mg/200mg/200mg

$130.26$1,147.07

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Carbidopa/Levodopa ER90 capsules / 48.75mg/195mg

$277.82-

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Stalevo vs. Rytary

Stalevo

Rytary

Summary for Stalevo

Indications for Stalevo

Pros and Cons for Stalevo

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Stalevo

Warnings for Stalevo

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 Stalevo vs. Rytary

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Stalevo

Rytary

Summary for Stalevo

Indications for Stalevo

Pros and Cons for Stalevo

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Stalevo

Warnings for Stalevo

Summary for Rytary

Indications for Rytary

Pros and Cons for Rytary

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Rytary

Warnings for Rytary