Compare carbidopa / levodopa vs. bromocriptine
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats Parkinson's disease.
Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is the first choice treatment for Parkinson's disease.
Used with other medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, and to stabilize certain hormones.
Parlodel (bromocriptine) is a good medicine to add to other medicines for Parkinson's disease when they start to not work so well.
Upsides
- Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is widely available as a regular pill, a quick dissolving pill or a liquid taken through a feeding tube.
- Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) is available in generic.
- Parlodel (bromocriptine) is a good choice to take with other medicines for Parkinson's disease because it raises your dopamine levels differently than others.
- Parlodel (bromocriptine) is available as generic.
- Parlodel (bromocriptine) pills can be broken in half for more personalized dosing.
Downsides
- Can make you very sleepy.
- Can stain your saliva, sweat and urine a dark color.
- Will lose its effect over time as your disease progresses.
- May need to be taken several times during day to control symptoms of Parkinson's disease
- May cause unusual cravings in some people.
- Parlodel (bromocriptine) is only recommended for Parkinson's disease to take with other medicines. It's not a first choice medicine.
- Your doctor might have to change the dose of Parlodel (bromocriptine) often.
Used for
- Acromegaly
- Hyperprolactinemia
- Parkinson's disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$113.41
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$959.71
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Side effects
The Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
9possible side effects
- Nausea18%
- Constipation14%
- Low blood pressure6%
- Loss of appetite4%
- Dry mouth/stuffy nose4%
- Indigestion4%
- Cold arms/legs3%
- Drowsiness3%
- Vomiting2%
Risks and risk factors
- Falling asleep during the day
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's
- High fever and confusion
- Stopping Sinemet (carbidopa / levodopa) suddenly
- Changes in behavior
- Lack of impulse control
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease
- Changes in blood pressure and falls
- Sleepiness
- Low blood pressure
- High blood pressure
- Having high blood pressure
- Delivering a baby
- Blood vessel issues
- Acromegaly (Higher growth hormone in the body)
- History of stomach ulcers
- Lack of impulse control
- Taking other medicines for Parkinson's disease