Drug interactions
Carbidopa + Rasagiline
Severity: Moderate
Carbidopa and Rasagiline: 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
Rasagiline is routinely combined with levodopa/carbidopa in Parkinson disease, but the pairing can increase dopaminergic effects including orthostatic hypotension, dyskinesia and nausea. Nonselective MAO inhibitors are the true contraindication, not selective MAO-B inhibitors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbidopa and Rasagiline 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.
Carbidopa belongs to Central Nervous System; Rasagiline belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Rasagiline irreversibly inhibits MAO-B, reducing dopamine breakdown and potentiating the effect of levodopa-derived dopamine.
What to do
Monitor orthostatic blood pressure and dyskinesia after starting rasagiline, and reduce the levodopa dose if dopaminergic adverse effects emerge. Do not combine with nonselective MAO inhibitors.
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
Other interactions of Rasagiline
- Atomoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Bupropion + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Clomipramine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Desvenlafaxine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbidopa with Rasagiline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbidopa and Rasagiline 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. Rasagiline is routinely combined with levodopa/carbidopa in Parkinson disease, but the pairing can increase dopaminergic effects including orthostatic hypotension, dyskinesia and nausea. Nonselective MAO inhibitors are the true contraindication, not selective MAO-B inhibitors.
How serious is the interaction between Carbidopa and Rasagiline?
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 orthostatic blood pressure and dyskinesia after starting rasagiline, and reduce the levodopa dose if dopaminergic adverse effects emerge. Do not combine with nonselective MAO inhibitors.
What other medicines interact with Carbidopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbidopa with, for example, Metoclopramide, Amlodipine-atorvastatin, Amlodipine-benazepril. The full list is on the Carbidopa page.
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