Drug interactions
Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Ferrous fumarate
Severity: Moderate
Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa and Ferrous fumarate: 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
Oral iron salts bind levodopa and entacapone in the gut, reducing their absorption. Plasma levodopa may fall and Parkinson's symptoms may worsen or motor fluctuations may appear.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa and Ferrous fumarate 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-entacapone-levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System; Ferrous fumarate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Chelation of levodopa and entacapone by iron in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Separate oral iron from carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa by at least 2 hours. Monitor motor response, and review iron dosing if symptoms worsen.
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-entacapone-levodopa
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa Major
- Asenapine transdermal + Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa Major
Other interactions of Ferrous fumarate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa with Ferrous fumarate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa and Ferrous fumarate 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. Oral iron salts bind levodopa and entacapone in the gut, reducing their absorption. Plasma levodopa may fall and Parkinson's symptoms may worsen or motor fluctuations may appear.
How serious is the interaction between Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa and Ferrous fumarate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate oral iron from carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa by at least 2 hours. Monitor motor response, and review iron dosing if symptoms worsen.
What other medicines interact with Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline transdermal. The full list is on the Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa page.
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