The most common adverse reactions reported with carbidopa and levodopa have included dyskinesias, such as choreiform, dystonic and other involuntary movements and nausea.
The following other adverse reactions have been reported with carbidopa and levodopa:
Body as a Whole: chest pain, asthenia
Cardiovascular: cardiac irregularities, hypotension, orthostatic effects including orthostatic hypotension, hypertension, syncope, phlebitis, palpitation
Gastrointestinal: dark saliva, gastrointestinal bleeding, development of duodenal ulcer, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, dry mouth, taste alterations
Hematologic: agranulocytosis, hemolytic and non-hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia
Hypersensitivity: angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, bullous lesions (including pemphigus-like reactions)
Musculoskeletal: back pain, shoulder pain, muscle cramps
Nervous System/Psychiatric: psychotic episodes including delusions, hallucinations and paranoid ideation, bradykinetic episodes ("on-off" phenomenon), confusion, agitation, dizziness, somnolence, dream abnormalities including nightmares, insomnia, paresthesia, headache, depression with or without development of suicidal tendencies, dementia, pathological gambling, increased libido including hypersexuality, impulse control symptoms. Convulsions also have occurred; however, a causal relationship with carbidopa and levodopa has not been established.
Respiratory: dyspnea, upper respiratory infection
Skin: rash, increased sweating, alopecia, dark sweat
Urogenital: urinary tract infection, urinary frequency, dark urine
Laboratory Tests: decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit; abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), LDH, bilirubin, BUN, Coombs test; elevated serum glucose; white blood cells, bacteria and blood in the urine
Other adverse reactions that have been reported with levodopa alone and with various carbidopa and levodopa formulations and may occur with carbidopa and levodopa tablets are:
Body as a Whole: abdominal pain and distress, fatigue
Cardiovascular: myocardial infarction
Gastrointestinal: gastrointestinal pain, dysphagia, sialorrhea, flatulence, bruxism, burning sensation of the tongue, heartburn, hiccups
Metabolic: edema, weight gain, weight loss
Musculoskeletal: leg pain
Nervous System/Psychiatric: ataxia, extrapyramidal disorder, falling, anxiety, gait abnormalities, nervousness, decreased mental acuity, memory impairment, disorientation, euphoria, blepharospasm (which may be taken as an early sign of excess dosage; consideration of dosage reduction may be made at this time), trismus, increased tremor, numbness, muscle twitching, activation of latent Horner's syndrome, peripheral neuropathy
Respiratory: pharyngeal pain, cough
Skin: malignant melanoma (see also CONTRAINDICATIONS), flushing
Special Senses: oculogyric crises, diplopia, blurred vision, dilated pupils
Urogenital: urinary retention, urinary incontinence, priapism
Miscellaneous: bizarre breathing patterns, faintness, hoarseness, malaise, hot flashes, sense of stimulation
Laboratory Tests: decreased white blood cell count and serum potassium; increased serum creatinine and uric acid; protein and glucose in urine