Levodopa/Pyridoxine Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
When these two medicines are taken together, your body may process levodopa more quickly.
What might happen:
The effects of your levodopa may decrease and cause an increase in your symptoms of Parkinsonism.
What you should do about this interaction:
If you experience an increase in your symptoms of Parkinsonism, contact your doctor. It may be necessary to discontinue your pyridoxine, or to add another medicine, carbidopa or benserazide, to lessen the effects of this interaction.Your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of this drug interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
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- 2.Cotzias GC, Papavasiliou PS. Blocking the negative effects of pyridoxine on patients receiving levodopa. JAMA 1971 Mar 1;215(9):1504-5.
- 3.Yahr MD, Duvoisin RC. Pyridoxine, levodopa, and L-alpha-methyldopa hydrazine regimen in parkinsonism. JAMA 1971 Jun 28;216(13):2141.
- 4.Leon AS, Spiegel HE, Thomas G, Abrams WB. Pyridoxine antagonism of levodopa in parkinsonism. JAMA 1971 Dec 27;218(13):1924-7.
- 5.Papavasiliou PS, Cotzias GC, Duby SE, Steck AJ, Fehling C, Bell MA. Levodopa in Parkinsonism: potentiation of central effects with a peripheral inhibitor. N Engl J Med 1972 Jan 6;286(1):8-14.
- 6.Yahr MD, Duvoisin RC. Pyridoxine and levodopa in the treatment of Parkinsonism. JAMA 1972 May 8;220(6):861.
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- 8.Prolopa (levodopa, benserazide) CA prescribing information. Hoffmann-La Roche Limited June 12, 2009.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.