Sinemet (Carbidopa-Levodopa) and nausea

Wanted to report back and thank all who responded to my post. After some experimenting I learned that taking the c/l with food does seem to reduce its efficacy and decided that was pointless. So went back to at least 30 min. before meals and it seems to be okay. I titrated myself from 1/2 up to full tab except still take 1/2 before dinner. I should just take that up too but things. are really stable with the hand tremor. Follow up will be in early June. Again thanks for all the input.

basically I think the Neurologist who is hopefully well versed in PD can spot PD vs. Essential Tremor. I would ask how is his sense of smell. I am told that is one of the first things to go. I do know many are misdiagnosed. Many of those symptoms you describe. are. pretty generic and at 84 certainly could be age related. I think just go to the visit and mine was relatively quick and painless. We have a whole clinic that specializes in PD so they are experts in spotting it. Wishing you and your husband the best.

hello everyone, new here on the Parkinson's site. i have been on the thyroid cancer site for years. this is about my husband who will see a neurologist this coming friday the 22nd of may, 2026. he has been suffering with the essential tremor's, which has gotten worst in the past year, right arm. trouble swallowing this year with minor memory loss. forgetfulness which is no big deal when you get older anyway. 84 years young. sleep deprived, never feels good, pain in joints and muscles. this past year no real interest in doing anything. he really does not want to go to the neurologist and do a whole bunch of tests, he feels at his age, just go with the flow. it is what it is. lots of symptoms like the bending of the head and slow walk with feelings like going to fall over with dizziness. the small handwriting. the low talking voice. but does not converse at all like he use to be so talkative. any advice would be greatly appreciated.

@trseaman0
May I ask why you were prescribed carbidopa-levodopa (sinemet) at 32 years old? I'm 31 years old I have been on carbidopa-levodopa since 2024. I have learned since being on it that its not commonly prescribed to young people and very rare for off-label usage, like in my case. I have had a permanent right calf cramp since 2021, with atrophy starting 2023 and all medical tests are negative/normal and in 2024 a neurologist from the Mayo Clinic prescribed me carbidopa-levodopa and it has helped with the stiffness of the calf. I take 4 pills 3 times daily.

@trseaman0
How amazing! It's good to know that after 33 years, Sinemet still works!

@hld1975

I've been on Sinemet now since I was 32 years old and now I'm 65 years old. I remember what it was like when I first started on Sinemet and I had the same problems your going through. All I can say eventually it does get better and more tolerable. It just takes time.

I started Sinemet 7 months ago, 1/2 pill for a month, then to 1 pill twice daily. I had nausea sometimes, but not all the time. Did not want to take extra Carbidopa, so I tried taking Sinemet when finishing my meal, standing up, and moving around for a while. If I feel nauseated, then I eat a pickle or a pickled palm heart. Usually, my nausea goes away. I don't know if what I did worked or if my GI system is gradually getting used to Sinemet.

I struggled with nausea for a long time. Finally landed on a “plain” 25 mg Carbidopa And
A meal, especially in the morning. I take the Carbidopa with each does, 3 times a day.

@radioactivems @lisalucier @kathy49
I have been taking carbidopa-levodopa since 2024 and I haven't noticed any side-effects. My neurologist recommend not to eat two hours before taking the medication and wait one hour after taking the medication. If I did need to eat he recommended crackers or something with very low protein. He also recommended staying away from nuts because of the high protein levels.

My wife started her Parkinson's disease treatment in Japan where doctors take into account your BMI for absorption purposes.. She was also prescribed a medication to help against becoming nauseated. Mucosta which helps provide a barrier in your stomach. Unfortunately when she returned to the United States her neurologist changed her Parkinson's disease medication to western standards (one size fits all) and never has had a period where her medication provided consisted on time relief. Most recently she was hospitalized for non-epileptic seizure episodes caused by her BP dropping due to the extra Caridopa and dopamine agonists that she had been prescribed in the United States. After stopping the extra Caridopa and dopamine agonist her symptoms improved and no longer experienced unconsciousness and dropping events.