Hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine and Parcopa

• Generic Name: hepatitis a adult vaccine / hepatitis b adult vaccine
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Twinrix Preservative-Free, Twinrix

Hepatitis A and B are serious diseases caused by virus.

Hepatitis A is spread through contact with the stool (bowel movements) of a person infected with the hepatitis A virus. This usually occurs by eating food or drinking water that has become contaminated as a result of handling by an infected person.

Hepatitis B is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact or sharing IV drug needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when a baby is born to a mother who is infected.

Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

The hepatitis A and B vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in adults. The vaccine works by exposing you to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

This vaccine is recommended for adults with risk factors for getting hepatitis A or B, including:

• having chronic liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C, or needing a liver transplant;

• using intravenous (IV) drugs;

• living with a person who has either hepatitis A or B infection;

• having sexual contact with an infected person;

• having more than one sex partner in 6 months;

• being male and having sex with other men;

• having a blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;

• being on dialysis or receiving blood transfusions;

• living in a correctional institution;

• being in the military or traveling to high-risk areas; and

• working in healthcare or public safety and being exposed to infected blood or body fluids.

Like any vaccine, the hepatitis A and B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

• Generic Name: carbidopa / levodopa
• Dosage Forms: tablet, orally disintegrating
• Other Brand Names: Parcopa, Rytary, Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Duopa

Parcopa is a combination medicine used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as muscle stiffness, tremors, spasms, and poor muscle control. Parkinson's disease may be caused by low levels of a chemical called dopamine (DOE pa meen) in the brain.

Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

Parcopa is also used to treat Parkinson symptoms caused by carbon monoxide poisoning or manganese intoxication.

Parcopa may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.