Levodopa Side Effects

For the Consumer

Applies to levodopa: inhalation capsule

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention

Along with its needed effects, levodopa may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking levodopa:

More common

Body aches or pain

chills

cough

difficulty in breathing

ear congestion

fever

headache

loss of voice

sneezing

sore throat

stuffy or runny nose

unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common

Blurred vision

chest pain or discomfort

confusion

cough producing mucus

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

muscle aches

sneezing

sweating

tightness in the chest

twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention

Some side effects of levodopa may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Discolored sputum or nasal discharge

falls

mouth or throat pain

nausea

pain in the arms or legs

skin scraping or tearing

trouble sleeping

vomiting

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to levodopa: compounding powder, inhalation capsule, oral capsule, oral tablet

General

The more commonly occurring adverse reactions have included cough, nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and discolored sputum.[Ref]

Respiratory

In a crossover clinical study in subjects with mild or moderate asthma on a stable regimen of asthma medication (n=25), patients received orally inhaled drug 84 mg every 4 hours for a total of 3 doses and placebo. Cough was reported by 60% of subjects following drug administration compared with 0% following placebo. Ten subjects (40%) had temporary FEV1 reductions from baseline (between 15% and 59%), and 4 of these subjects also had a reduction in FEV1 following placebo. Subjects with a reduction in FEV1 remained asymptomatic and did not require rescue treatment.

Very common (10% or more): Cough (15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Discolored sputum, nasal discharge discoloration, oropharyngeal pain, upper respiratory tract infection, nasopharyngitis, bronchitis/pneumonia

Nervous system

Common (1% to 10%): Dyskinesia, headache

Frequency not reported: Falling asleep during activities of daily living, somnolence

Gastrointestinal

Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting

Psychiatric

During clinical trials, hallucinations were reported in less than 2% of patients receiving orally inhaled levodopa.

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia

Frequency not reported: Hallucinations

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Chest discomfort, orthostatic hypotension/blood pressure decreased

Dermatologic

Dermatologic

Common (1% to 10%): Laceration, skin abrasion

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Increased blood bilirubin

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Extremity pain

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Decreased red blood cell count

Other

Fever, altered consciousness, autonomic dysfunction and muscle rigidity are the hallmarks of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is associated with a case fatality rate of about 20%. If withdrawal of dopaminergic therapy is suspected as the cause of NMS, dopaminergic therapy should be restarted. If a neuroleptic agent is suspected as the cause, the neuroleptic agent should be immediately discontinued. For patients with NMS suspected to be due to neuroleptic therapy, consideration should be given to dantrolene (or bromocriptine) administration. Intensive monitoring and supportive care are indicated for all patients with NMS.

Common (1% to 10%): Fall

References 1. "Product Information. Inbrija (levodopa)." Acorda Therapeutics, Hawthorne, NY.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Related questions

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