Drug interactions
Apomorphine + Carbidopa-levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Apomorphine and Carbidopa-levodopa: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both agents stimulate dopaminergic pathways, so together they can improve control of motor fluctuations in Parkinson disease. The additive dopaminergic effect can also cause orthostatic hypotension, nausea, dyskinesia and hallucinations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Apomorphine and Carbidopa-levodopa can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Apomorphine belongs to Central Nervous System; Carbidopa-levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive dopaminergic receptor stimulation (apomorphine is a direct agonist, levodopa is converted to dopamine).
What to do
Monitor supine and standing blood pressure, especially when starting or increasing apomorphine, and watch for dyskinesia or psychiatric effects. Reduce the levodopa dose if dyskinesia or hypotension develops; give an antiemetic that does not block dopamine (e.g.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
- Asenapine + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
Other interactions of Apomorphine
- Alosetron + Apomorphine Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Dolasetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Granisetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Netupitant-palonosetron Contraindicated
- Apomorphine + Ondansetron Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Apomorphine with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Apomorphine and Carbidopa-levodopa can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both agents stimulate dopaminergic pathways, so together they can improve control of motor fluctuations in Parkinson disease. The additive dopaminergic effect can also cause orthostatic hypotension, nausea, dyskinesia and hallucinations.
How serious is the interaction between Apomorphine and Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor supine and standing blood pressure, especially when starting or increasing apomorphine, and watch for dyskinesia or psychiatric effects. Reduce the levodopa dose if dyskinesia or hypotension develops; give an antiemetic that does not block dopamine (e.g.
What other medicines interact with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline transdermal. The full list is on the Carbidopa-levodopa page.
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