Drug interactions
Carbidopa-levodopa + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Carbidopa-levodopa and Propranolol: 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
Levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, and propranolol lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Combined use may produce additive hypotension and dizziness, mainly at initiation or after dose increases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbidopa-levodopa and Propranolol 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-levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System; Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic blood pressure lowering from levodopa-related vasodilation and beta-adrenergic blockade.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, including standing values, when starting or adjusting either drug. Reduce the antihypertensive dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs.
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 Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
- Arformoterol + Propranolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbidopa-levodopa with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbidopa-levodopa and Propranolol 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. Levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, and propranolol lowers blood pressure and heart rate. Combined use may produce additive hypotension and dizziness, mainly at initiation or after dose increases.
How serious is the interaction between Carbidopa-levodopa and Propranolol?
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 blood pressure, including standing values, when starting or adjusting either drug. Reduce the antihypertensive dose if symptomatic hypotension occurs.
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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