Overview
Dhivy is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, as well as post-encephalitic parkinsonism and symptomatic parkinsonism caused by carbon monoxide or manganese exposure. It may be prescribed for people with Parkinson’s disease to help manage symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with movement. Dhivy is also known by its drug name, carbidopa and levodopa.

Dhivy combines two medications: carbidopa, which helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it reaches the brain, and levodopa, which the body converts into dopamine. Parkinson’s disease is associated with low levels of dopamine, a brain chemical that controls movement. By increasing dopamine levels, Dhivy may help improve motor symptoms.

How do I take it?
Prescribing information states that Dhivy is taken by mouth, typically starting with one tablet three times a day. The dose may be increased by one tablet each day or every other day as needed, up to a maximum of eight tablets per day. Dhivy can be taken with or without food and should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider.

Side effects
Common side effects of Dhivy include involuntary movements such as choreiform (jerky), dystonic (muscle contractions), and other types of dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), as well as nausea.

Rare but serious side effects may include falling asleep during daily activities, withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia (a sudden rise in body temperature) and confusion, cardiovascular ischemic events (reduced blood flow to the heart), hallucinations or psychosis, and impulse control disorders such as compulsive gambling or eating. Dhivy may also worsen dyskinesia in some people.

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Label: Dhivy — Carbidopa Levodopa Tablet — DailyMed