Levodopa/Carbidopa and Q-Sorb Co Q-10 coenzyme Q-10

• Generic Name: carbidopa / levodopa
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Parcopa, Rytary, Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Duopa

Levodopa is used for symptomatic treatment of parkinsonian syndrome (e.g., parkinsonism, idiopathic Parkinson disease [paralysis agitans]); also used for postencephalitic parkinsonism and symptomatic parkinsonian syndrome resulting from carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication.

Carbidopa is used in conjunction with levodopa to inhibit decarboxylation of peripheral levodopa and increase the amount of levodopa available for transport to the brain.

Levodopa (in combination with carbidopa) is the most effective drug for relieving motor symptoms of parkinsonian syndrome and is considered the drug of choice for this use.

Levodopa provides symptomatic relief (e.g., akinesia, rigidity, tremor) and improves functional ability; however, effectiveness decreases over time and most patients develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesias (drug-induced involuntary movements) with long-term use.

Strategies for reducing the risk of motor complications associated with long-term levodopa therapy include adjusting dosage of levodopa, adding adjunctive antiparkinsonian agents (e.g., dopamine agonist [e.g., pramipexole, ropinirole, rotigotine], selective monoamine oxidase [MAO]-B inhibitor [e.g., rasagiline, safinamide, selegiline], catechol-O-methyltransferase [COMT] inhibitor [entacapone, tolcapone], amantadine), or initiating therapy with other antiparkinsonian agents first to delay use of levodopa. Delayed approach is often used in younger patients who have a higher risk of developing motor complications. Levodopa generally is used for initial therapy in patients >70 years of age, those with cognitive impairment, and those with severe disease.

Not effective in the management of extrapyramidal effects induced by antipsychotic agents (e.g., phenothiazines).

• Generic Name: ubiquinone
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names: Coenzyme Q10, CoQ10, elppa CoQ10, LiQsorb, Q-Sorb Co Q-10, QuinZyme, Co-Q10, NutraDrops, Liquid Co-Q10, Co Q-10, Coenzyme Q10, LiQ-10

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 is a vitamin-like substance that is made naturally in the body. This medicine is also known as Coenzima, Ubidcarenone, Ubidécarénone, and Ubiquinol.

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 is likely effective in alternative medicine as an aid in treating coenzyme Q-10 deficiency, or reducing the symptoms of mitochondrial disorders (conditions that affect energy-production in the cells of the body).

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 is also possibly effective in preventing migraine headaches, lowering blood pressure, preventing a second heart attack, or slowing the progression of early Parkinson's disease. This medicine is also possibly effective in improving symptoms in people with congestive heart failure, nerve problems caused by diabetes, Huntington's disease, muscular dystrophy, or macular degeneration (age-related vision loss).

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 has also been used to treat Alzheimer's disease, high cholesterol, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease). However, research has shown that this medicine may not be effective in treating these conditions.

Research also has shown that Q-Sorb Co Q-10 is not likely to be effective in increasing athletic performance.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating asthma, COPD, cancer, diabetes, certain heart problems, fibromyalgia, hepatitis C, kidney problems, high blood pressure during pregnancy, muscle problems caused by taking "statin" cholesterol medicine, and other conditions.

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Q-Sorb Co Q-10 may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.