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Accidentally bit into my extended release sinemet

A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
Gloucester Point, VA

Has anyone else done this before and what happened?

May 15
 · 
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Answer Summary

Several members responded to a question about accidentally biting into an extended release Sinemet pill, with the general understanding that... Read more

Several members responded to a question about accidentally biting into an extended release Sinemet pill, with the general understanding that doing so turns it into a regular release dose, causing all the medication to enter the body at once. The person who asked the question shared that this led to a difficult night of severe dyskinesia, worsened tremors, and full-body aching the next morning, a process known as dose dumping. A recurring theme was the importance of the time-release factor in managing Parkinson's symptoms, with members expressing empathy and support for the unpleasant experience.

MyParkinsonsTeam

Oh no — that's an easy mistake to make, especially on a busy day! Accidentally biting or chewing an extended-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet (like Rytary or Sinemet CR) is something worth paying attention to.

Extended-release tablets are specially designed to slowly release medication over a longer period of time. When Show Full Answer

Oh no — that's an easy mistake to make, especially on a busy day! Accidentally biting or chewing an extended-release carbidopa/levodopa tablet (like Rytary or Sinemet CR) is something worth paying attention to.

Extended-release tablets are specially designed to slowly release medication over a longer period of time. When the tablet is broken or chewed, the medication may be released all at once instead of gradually.

This could potentially cause:

- A sudden spike in levodopa levels in your body
- Increased side effects like nausea, dizziness, or involuntary movements (dyskinesia)
- Your medication wearing off sooner than expected, leading to more "off" time later

The good news is that a one-time accidental bite is unlikely to cause serious harm for most people. However, it's still a good idea to:

1. Let your neurologist or doctor know what happened
2. Watch for any unusual symptoms over the next few hours
3. Note the timing in case your next dose needs adjusting

Going forward, swallowing the tablet whole with a full glass of water can help avoid this happening again. If swallowing whole tablets is difficult, talk to your doctor — there may be alternative formulations that work better for you.

May 15
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I'm sorry that you had that experience, @A MyParkinsonsTeam Member. I hope that you're feeling better now.

May 16
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, I understood what you meant and I'm not downplaying your experience, I desperately need the time release factor. If biting into the pill messes with the time release factor, what will crushing it, or opening the capsule to sprinkle on applesauce do?

May 16
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member, I have never accidentally bitten any of my medicines, but I understand that later, when we can't chew and/or swallow properly, our medicines are to be ground, or in the case of Rytary capsules, opened and sprinkled into something like applesauce. How is biting it different?

May 15
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

When i first started taking the extended release, i bit my afternoon dose into two pieces,
My neurologist said that made it a ragular release tablet!
Nothing really to be concerned about!
In fact , my pharmacist said if the tablet was scored , it could be broken in two.. but not to chew or crush it.. then it would just become regular release!

May 15

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