Neurology

Stalevo

Carbidopa · Levodopa · Entacapone

Stalevo 25/100/200mg tablets combine carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone in a single tablet for Parkinson's disease, taken in place of each levodopa dose to smooth out wearing-off.

All strengths and pack prices
Stalevo: price of every strength and pack size
Strength Pack Price
25/100/200mg 30 tablets $70.50
25/100/200mg 60 tablets $93.60
25/100/200mg 90 tablets $113.40
25/100/200mg 180 tablets $171.00
Category
Neurology
Active ingredient
Carbidopa · Levodopa · Entacapone
Route
Oral
Form
Tablet
Strengths
25/100/200mg

You will receive a quality generic equivalent, depending on stock.

Shipped in a discreet, unmarked envelope.

Details

Conditions
Parkinson disease
Therapeutic Class
Anti-Parkinson Agent
Pharmacological Class
Dopamine Precursor, DOPA Decarboxylase Inhibitor, COMT Inhibitor
Minor Side Effects
Nausea, dizziness, discoloured urine
Moderate Side Effects
Dyskinesia, hallucinations, confusion
Dosage Forms
Tablet
Administration Route
Oral
Originator
Novartis
Onset Time
30–60 minutes
Duration
4–8 hours
Storage Instructions
Store in a cool, dry place.
Drug Interactions
MAO-A inhibitors, Iron supplements
Age Restrictions
Not recommended for paediatric use.

What you will receive

Stalevo is the originator brand name, made by Novartis. We use it to identify the medicine; the pack you receive is a generic equivalent, not the original Stalevo.

  • The same active ingredient (Carbidopa / Levodopa / Entacapone) at the same strength.
  • The exact brand supplied depends on what is in stock when your order ships.

FAQ

What strengths and pack sizes of Stalevo can I order?

Stalevo tablets come in one strength, 25/100/200mg, in packs of 30, 60, 90 or 180 tablets. This is generic carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone, not the original Stalevo. Larger packs cost less per tablet.

What happens if my Stalevo parcel does not arrive?

If a Stalevo parcel does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, it is sent again free. If that is not possible, the order is refunded. Support answers 24/7 in English and Cantonese by live chat.

What does "wearing-off" mean in Parkinson's disease?

It is when the benefit of a levodopa dose fades before the next one is due, so stiffness, slowness or tremor return. Entacapone in Stalevo slows the breakdown of levodopa, which stretches each dose further and can shrink those gaps during the day.

Why does Stalevo turn urine brownish-orange?

Entacapone gives urine a brownish-orange tint, and it can affect sweat in the same way. This is a common, harmless effect of the medicine being cleared from the body, not a sign of damage, and it needs no treatment.

Can Stalevo be stopped suddenly?

No. Stopping suddenly can make Parkinson's symptoms much worse and can cause other serious problems. If Stalevo is ever withdrawn, the dose is lowered gradually rather than cut off in one go.

Is Stalevo the same as levodopa/carbidopa plus entacapone?

The active ingredients are identical — carbidopa, levodopa and entacapone — but Stalevo puts all three in one tablet, so there are fewer tablets with each dose. In the 25/100/200mg strength that means carbidopa 25mg, levodopa 100mg and entacapone 200mg.

Can Stalevo be taken with food?

Yes. It can be taken with or without food, so mealtimes do not have to move around it; take the tablet with a drink of water. Most people keep the same daily timings they used for their previous levodopa doses.

About Stalevo

What Stalevo is for

Parkinson's disease develops when the brain loses the cells that produce dopamine, the chemical messenger behind smooth, controlled movement. Levodopa, taken with carbidopa, is the mainstay of treatment. Stalevo adds a third ingredient, entacapone, and is used when levodopa doses start to run out before the next one is due: the "wearing-off" effect, where stiffness, slowness or tremor creep back earlier in the day. Each tablet holds carbidopa 25mg, levodopa 100mg and entacapone 200mg. It eases symptoms but does not cure the condition, and it is an everyday medicine rather than something for a sudden bad spell.

Three ingredients, one tablet

Of the three, levodopa is the one the brain turns into dopamine; carbidopa and entacapone are there to protect it. Carbidopa shuts down one enzyme that breaks levodopa down early, which also means a smaller dose is enough and nausea is milder. Entacapone shuts down a second one, COMT. With both routes narrowed, each dose of levodopa stays active for longer, and that is why the combination is given to people whose control fades between doses.

How it fits into your day

If your day is already built around levodopa tablets, Stalevo slots straight in: one tablet in place of each of those doses, up to eight tablets a day. Because it stretches levodopa out rather than making it hit harder, the change tends to show up in the gaps, with fewer spells when moving is difficult. One thing worth knowing from the start: this medicine is not stopped abruptly. Cutting it out suddenly can make Parkinson's symptoms much worse, so if it is ever withdrawn the dose comes down in steps.

Side effects worth knowing

Diarrhoea, nausea, stomach pain, dizziness and drowsiness are the ones people notice most, and dizziness often turns up on standing, particularly in the early days. Movements you cannot control, such as twitching or restlessness (dyskinesia), can become more obvious as more levodopa reaches the brain; they usually ease when the dose is adjusted. Less often, Stalevo can cause hallucinations, confusion or difficulty breathing. A high fever with stiff muscles, sweating and a racing heartbeat needs urgent treatment.

Looking after the tablets

Keep them in the container they came in, lid closed, somewhere cool and out of the sun, and well out of children's reach. If a pack is left unfinished, a pharmacy can take the leftovers back.

Sources

  1. Levodopa and Carbidopa: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
  2. Entacapone: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine