Prolopa (Benserazide/Levodopa)

What is Prolopa?

Prolopa is an antiparkinson agent.

What is Prolopa used for?

Prolopa is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Some such signs of the disease include slowness in performing activities, shaking of hands or other body parts, mood swings, depression and stiffness.

How does Prolopa work?

Prolopa works by controlling the chemical in the brain that is responsible for producing symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

How to use Prolopa

Your physician will let you know about the Prolopa dosage that you have to take each day. It is important to follow the instructions of your doctor before taking the medicine. The medicine is to be swallowed with water and not chewed. You should not open the capsule or dissolve the contents in water for consumption.

Individual symptoms help in deciding the dosage of the medicine. The doctor will gradually increase your dosage accordingly and will make sure that you do not have to suffer the side effects.

Prolopa warnings and precautions

Make sure that your doctor knows about the medicine you have been taking and any allergies that you have to certain medicines. People with glaucoma who have been prescribed Prolopa should carefully take the medicine as there are chances of the eye pressure increasing with this medicine.

People who are suffering from certain heart conditions, peptic ulcer, epilepsy, kidney disease or blood disorders should be monitored carefully while they are taking Prolopa. Blood sugar too should be tested regularly. It is important to take the medicine as per the instructions of your doctor. Do not stop taking Prolopa abruptly or you might have to suffer from some side effects and withdrawal effects.

Pregnant women should not take this medicine. If you become pregnant during your treatment, let your doctor know about it right away. Nursing mothers too should not consume Prolopa. People below the age of 25 years are not recommended to take this medicine.

What do I do if I have missed a Prolopa dose?

If you have missed a dose of Prolopa, take the dose as soon as you get to remember about it. If it is almost time to take the next dose, skip the missed dose and carry on with the routine.

What do I do if I have taken a Prolopa overdose?

If you have taken an overdose of Prolopa, contact the local poison control center or get immediate medical help.

Prolopa interactions

Prolopa can react with medicines like dopamine agonists, amantadine, ferrous sulfate, anesthetics, MAO inhibitors, phenytoin, metoclopramide, selegiline, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, trihexyphenidyl, pyridoxine, tricyclic antidepressants and sympathomimetic medications.

Before taking Prolopa, tell your doctor about all prescription and non prescription drugs that you are on. Do not start taking any new medicine without consulting your doctor.

Prolopa side effects

Some of the side effects are common and some are very rare. Not every person taking the medicine faces these side effects. Some of the less common side effects of Prolopa are bitter taste in mouth, belching, bloating, loss of voluntary activity, swelling of face, burning sensation, change in walk, loss of balance, blurred vision, change in the frequency of urination, constipation, dark sweat, cough, grinding teeth, clenching, double vision, diarrhea, dilated pupils, decreased urine, excessive watering in mouth, fatigue, dry mouth, fever, discomfort, illness, malaise, fever, fatigue, hallucinations, hair loss, loss of bladder control, lower back pain, muscle spasms, nervousness, gas, rashes, shakiness, headache and hiccups. If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor right away.

Some of the more common Prolopa side effects are increased blinking of eyelids, twitching, uncontrolled movements of tongue and other body parts, agitation, hallucinations, sadness, absence of body movement.