What are the symptoms of too much carbidopa/levodopa (CL)?
Taking too much carbidopa/levodopa can lead to dyskinesia, which is the most common side effect of excessive dosing. Dyskinesia causes uncontrollable, involuntary movements that can affect one area or your entire body.
Movement symptoms include
- Fluid, Show Full Answer
What are the symptoms of too much carbidopa/levodopa (CL)?
Taking too much carbidopa/levodopa can lead to dyskinesia, which is the most common side effect of excessive dosing. Dyskinesia causes uncontrollable, involuntary movements that can affect one area or your entire body.
Movement symptoms include:
- Fluid, dance-like or writhing movements
- Swaying or fidgeting
- Rapid jerking motions
- Muscle spasms
These movements are very different from Parkinson's tremor - they're nonrhythmic and fast rather than the slow, rhythmic shaking of typical tremor.
Other effects of dyskinesia:
- Can be painful
- May cause you to accidentally hit objects or drop things
- Often worsens with emotional stress or excitement
- Typically occurs when your medication is at peak effectiveness (1-2 hours after taking it)
- Can lead to weight loss from constant movement
Additional side effects of too much CL may include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Compulsive behaviors
- Sleep problems
If you're experiencing these symptoms, talk with your doctor about adjusting your medication dose to find the right balance between controlling Parkinson's symptoms and avoiding side effects.
March 31
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