Drug interactions
Aripiprazole + Carbidopa-levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Aripiprazole 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
Aripiprazole is a D2 partial agonist that can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa and worsen parkinsonism. Levodopa may also aggravate psychosis.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aripiprazole 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.
Aripiprazole belongs to Central Nervous System; Carbidopa-levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at dopamine D2 receptors by aripiprazole opposes levodopa effects.
What to do
Use the lowest effective aripiprazole dose and monitor for worsening motor symptoms. Consider quetiapine or clozapine if an antipsychotic is needed in Parkinson's disease.
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 Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Aripiprazole + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Aripiprazole Major
- Aripiprazole + Arsenic trioxide Major
- Aripiprazole + Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates Major
- Aripiprazole + Carbamazepine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aripiprazole with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aripiprazole 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. Aripiprazole is a D2 partial agonist that can reduce the effectiveness of levodopa and worsen parkinsonism. Levodopa may also aggravate psychosis.
How serious is the interaction between Aripiprazole 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: Use the lowest effective aripiprazole dose and monitor for worsening motor symptoms. Consider quetiapine or clozapine if an antipsychotic is needed in Parkinson's disease.
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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