Medical Questions » Medicines Questions » Question No. 657
| Question: | Can you tell me about a drug called Sinemet? My husband has been taking it for years, and I don' t know why. |
| Answer: | This medication is used for only one purpose—the treatment of Parkinson' s disease.
The tablet actually contains two medications, which wotk together to conttol the stiffness, tremor and mental deterioration that can accompany this disease. It is important to remember that there is no cure for Parkinson' s disease, only control, so the tablets must be taken for long periods. If they are stopped, the symptoms of the disease may return, and a person who is well controlled may deteriorate rapidly. Unfortunately, the disease tends to worsen with time, so often the dosage of medication must be slowly increased, or other drugs added to maintain control.
It is a very safe drug, and there are no problems in using it long term. Any side effects are usually experienced in the first few weeks of treatment, and then subside.
If your husband ever sees a doctor or dentist for any treatment, he must make the pracritioner aware that he is taking Sinemet, as it can interact with other medications, and can cause problems with general anaesthesia and some diseases.
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