Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Vyalev vs. Sinemet

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

  • Vyalev (foscarbidopa / foslevodopa)
    Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)
  • Vyalev (foscarbidopa / foslevodopa)
    Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa)

  • Summary of Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Summary for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
    Prescription only

    Vyalev (foscarbidopa / foslevodopa) is used to treat movement problems in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). It's given as a continuous infusion under the skin of the stomach using the Vyafuser pump. This anti-Parkinson medication helps raise and keep dopamine levels high in the brain. Side effects can include hallucinations and uncontrolled movements. It can also cause skin reactions where the medication is infused.

    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.

  • Indications of Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Indications for
    •Advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD)
    Indications for
    •Parkinson's disease (PD)
    •Parkinsonism (conditions that cause people to have signs and symptoms of PD, including slowness, stiffness, shakiness, and imbalance)

  • Pros and Cons of Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Pros and Const for Dopa decarboxylase inhibitor / Dopamine replacement
    Pros
    •First continuous, non-surgical treatment option for people with advanced PD
    •Can help control symptoms for 24 hours
    •No need to time doses around food
    Cons
    •Can cause irritation at the injection site
    •Requires training on how to use the Vyafuser pump to take the medication
    •Not approved for people with early stages of Parkinson's disease
    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

  • Common Side Effects of Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Common Side Effects for
    •Reaction at the infusion or catheter site (62%)
    •Infection at the infusion or catheter site (28%)
    •Hallucination (12%)
    •Uncontrolled movements (11%)
    •"On and off" phenomenon (8%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Involuntary movements (dyskinesia or dystonia, 12-17%)
    •Nausea (6%)

  • Warnings of Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Common Side Effects for
    •Sleepiness or falling asleep during activities
    •Hallucinations and changes in behavior and thoughts
    •Difficulty controlling impulsive behavior
    •Infusion site reactions and infections
    •High fevers and confusion when lowering the dose or stopping too suddenly
    •Uncontrolled movements
    •Heart attack and abnormal heart rhythm
    •Higher pressure in the eyes in people with glaucoma
    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

  • Prices with our coupons for Vyalev vs. Sinemet

    Learn more about Vyalev
    Learn more about Sinemet

Browse medications

View All

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