Stalevo side effects: What you should know

Stalevo can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Stalevo in clinical trials:

• diarrhea
• nausea
• dizziness
• abdominal pain
• fatigue

Mild side effects can occur with Stalevo. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Stalevo’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Stalevo include:

• diarrhea
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• abdominal pain
• fatigue
• dry mouth
• restlessness
• urine that is dark in color, such as red, brown, or black
• back pain
• drowsiness
• constipation
• mild allergic reaction*

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks the side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Stalevo and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* An allergic reaction is possible after taking Stalevo. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Stalevo may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Stalevo’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Stalevo, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Rhabdomyolysis (breakdown of muscle). Symptoms can include:
  • muscle pain or swelling
  • dark-colored urine
  • fatigue
• Dyskinesia (uncontrollable and sudden body movements). Symptoms may include:
  • tremor (shaking)
  • fidgeting
  • rocking or swaying
  • head bobbing
• Depression or suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Symptoms may include:
  • loss of interest in activities or hobbies you typically enjoy
  • changes in sleep
  • fatigue
  • thoughts of dying
• Severe diarrhea.
• Difficulty with impulse control (being unable to manage certain urges)
• Psychosis (loss of contact with reality) or hallucinations (hearing or seeing something that’s not really there).
• Fever and confusion. This typically only happens if the medication is stopped suddenly.
• Sleepiness or falling asleep during daily activities.*
• Hypotension (low blood pressure).*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Stalevo. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Stalevo may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Stalevo.

Sleepiness

Stalevo can cause extreme drowsiness which can occur at any time of day. In some cases, sleepiness can include falling asleep during usual daytime activities, such as talking or driving. Sleepiness and drowsiness were a common side effect reported in clinical trials.

What you can do

Make sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking before starting therapy with Stalevo. Some medications can increase your risk of this side effect.

You shouldn’t drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other potentially dangerous activities until you know how Stalevo affects you. If you frequently experience sleepiness or have episodes of falling asleep during your usual activities, talk with your doctor.

Low blood pressure

Drugs such as Stalevo can cause hypotension (low blood pressure). It can also cause a condition called orthostatic hypotension (drop in blood pressure when changing positions, such as sitting to standing).

Symptoms may include:

• dizziness
• fainting
• blurred vision

These symptoms typically go away after a few minutes as the body slowly adjusts to an upright position.

Low blood pressure may occur more often when you are first starting therapy.

What you can do

Try not to stand up too quickly after sitting or lying down while taking Stalevo. If you are laying down, it may help to sit for a minute before standing up.

Talk with your doctor if you have symptoms of low blood pressure that don’t go away or become bothersome.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Stalevo can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Stalevo. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Stalevo. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Peptic ulcer disease: Drugs such as Stalevo can increase your risk of new peptic ulcers (sores in your digestive system) if you have a history of peptic ulcer disease. Tell your doctor if you’ve had peptic ulcers in the past before starting treatment with the drug. They can tell you whether Stalevo is a good treatment option for you.

Depression or thoughts of suicide: Tell your doctor if you’ve had depression or thoughts of suicide in the past. You may have a higher risk of depression and thoughts of suicide during treatment with Stalevo. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Stalevo.

Liver problems: Liver problems, such as liver disease, may make it harder for your body to remove Stalevo from your system. Tell your doctor if you’ve had liver problems in the past. They may order a liver function test during treatment with Stalevo to make sure your liver is functioning at the optimal level.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Stalevo or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Stalevo. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known if it’s safe to take Stalevo if you’re pregnant. Treatment with Stalevo isn’t recommended if you’re breastfeeding. Please talk with your doctor before taking Stalevo if you’re pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. They can let you know about other treatment options for your condition.

Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can worsen the side effects of Stalevo, such as drowsiness, dizziness, or low blood pressure. Talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking Stalevo. They can advise whether it’s safe to drink alcohol during your treatment.

If you’d like to learn more about Stalevo, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• Details about your condition: For information about PD, see our PD hub.
• More information about Stalevo: For details about other aspects of Stalevo, refer to this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Stalevo, view this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.