Taking co-careldopa with other medicines and herbal supplements - Brand names: Sinemet, Caramet, Apodespan, Lecado

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines can affect the way that co-careldopa works and may increase the chances of side effects.

Tell your doctor, specialist nurse or a pharmacist if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking co-careldopa:

• iron medicine or supplements
• tranylcypromine, phenelzine or isocarboxazid, for depression – also tell your doctor if you've taken any of these medicines within the last 2 weeks
• selegiline, for Parkinson's disease
• medicines for psychosis or schizophrenia, such as amisulpride, aripiprazole, haloperidol or risperidone
• anti-sickness medicines, such as metoclopramide or prochlorperazine
• medicines for high blood pressure (hypertension), such as atenolol, ramipril or amlodipine
• medicines that make you sleepy, give you a dry mouth, or make it difficult to pee (called anticholinergic side effects), including antihistamines, antidepressants and medicines for an overactive bladder

Many medicines have these anticholinergic effects, so check with a pharmacist if you're not sure. They can affect how much co-careldopa your body takes in and stop it from working properly.

Taking painkillers with co-careldopa

It's usually OK to take mild painkillers, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, if you need pain relief.

Check with your doctor before taking any stronger prescription painkillers, including opioids such as codeine, morphine or tramadol.

Mixing co-careldopa with herbal remedies and supplements

There's not enough information to say that complementary medicines, herbal remedies and supplements are safe to take with co-careldopa. They're not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.