Drug interactions
Carbidopa-levodopa + Sapropterin
Severity: Moderate
Carbidopa-levodopa and Sapropterin: 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
Sapropterin is a cofactor involved in synthesis of dopamine and other monoamines, and its labeling advises caution with levodopa. Case reports describe convulsions, overstimulation and irritability when the two are used together. The evidence is limited and the mechanism is not firmly established.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbidopa-levodopa and Sapropterin 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; Sapropterin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Mechanism not firmly established; possibly enhanced dopaminergic neurotransmitter synthesis causing excess central stimulation.
What to do
Monitor for seizures, agitation and irritability when the combination is started or changed. Reduce the dose of one agent if neurological symptoms appear.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Carbidopa-levodopa and Sapropterin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Sapropterin
- Avanafil + Sapropterin Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Sapropterin Moderate
- Levodopa + Sapropterin Moderate
- Methotrexate + Sapropterin Moderate
- Phenobarbitone + Sapropterin Moderate
- Pyrimethamine + Sapropterin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbidopa-levodopa with Sapropterin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbidopa-levodopa and Sapropterin 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. Sapropterin is a cofactor involved in synthesis of dopamine and other monoamines, and its labeling advises caution with levodopa. Case reports describe convulsions, overstimulation and irritability when the two are used together. The evidence is limited and the mechanism is not firmly established.
How serious is the interaction between Carbidopa-levodopa and Sapropterin?
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 for seizures, agitation and irritability when the combination is started or changed. Reduce the dose of one agent if neurological symptoms appear.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
