Parcopa (Carbidopa / Levodopa) - Description

DESCRIPTION

PARCOPA™ (carbidopa-levodopa orally disintegrating tablets) is a combination of carbidopa and levodopa for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and syndrome. PARCOPA™ is an orally administered formulation of carbidopa-levodopa which rapidly disintegrates on the tongue and does not require water to aid dissolution or swallowing.

Carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 244.24. It is designated chemically as (-)-L-(alpha)-hydrazino-(alpha)-methyl-(beta)-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid monohydrate. Its empirical formula is C₁₀H₁₄N₂O₄·H₂O, and its structural formula is:

Tablet content is expressed in terms of anhydrous carbidopa which has a molecular weight of 226.23.

Levodopa, an aromatic amino acid, is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 197.2. It is designated chemically as (-)-L-(alpha)-amino-(beta)-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid. Its empirical formula is C₉H₁₁NO₄, and its structural formula is:

PARCOPA™ is supplied as tablets in three strengths:

PARCOPA™ 25/100, containing 25 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa.

PARCOPA™ 10/100, containing 10 mg of carbidopa and 100 mg of levodopa.

PARCOPA™ 25/250, containing 25 mg of carbidopa and 250 mg of levodopa.

Inactive ingredients are aspartame, citric acid, crospovidone, magnesium stearate, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, natural and artificial mint flavor and sodium bicarbonate. PARCOPA™ 10/100 and 25/250 also contain FD&C blue #2 HT aluminum lake. PARCOPA™ 25/100 also contains yellow 10 iron oxide.