Shortages of Sinemet 12.5/50mg Sinemet 25/250mg and Sinmet Plus 25/100mg

Has anyone found they cannot get their prescription from the Pharmacy of the above mentioned drugs? Parkinson’s UK and Parkinson’s Scotland both posted information on Facebook yesterday (Thursday 6th September)
saying there was virtually no Sinemet 12.5/50mg to be had in the UK. Merck, Sharp and Dohme the manufacturer say this has been caused by current manufacturing capacity constraints and that the Sinemet products listed above are expected to sometimes be unavailable. Sinemet 25/250mg will sometimes be unavailable from the end of September and this will continue into the first quarter of next year. Sinemet Plus 25/100mg will sometimes be unavailable from the end of October and this will continue into the first quarter of next year. There are generic versions of Co-careldopa
the active ingredient in Sinemet but from my own personal experience my body does not tolerate any change in medication and the side effects are horrendous.
Would appreciate any feedback on this as many of us at our Support Group are really concerned about not being able to source Sinemet.

Many thanks.

Powrie

Hi Powrie,

There is a delivery of 12.5/50mg 9x10 that we’re hoping will be available in pharmacies next week, but there may also be other shortages of the products you’ve mentioned above. If you have any concerns at all, you can give the helpline a call on 0808 800 0303 and they can help discuss alternatives with you if you can’t speak to your GP, specialist or nurse.

Other forum users can see the full post on our website here: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/manufacturing-capacity-causes-shortage-sinemet

Best wishes,

Tom

Many thanks Tom for your information regarding Sinemet I will let the group members know the information you have passed on to me. I haven’t yet spoken to my PD Nurse or GP. My prescription is due to go to the Pharmacy on the13th September 2018 so let’s hope I am able to get it.

Regards
Powrie

Hi Tom

Shortages of various strengths of Sinemet in particular Sinemet 12.5/50m

Update.

I spoke with my Pharmacist this afternoon and have been informed that there are no Sinemet 12.5/50mg to be had in the UK. The only thing that the Pharmacist suggested was if PD UK could find out when the Sinemet 12.5/50mg is due to come in to the Country and which wholesalers are to be
distributing the Sinemet, the Pharmacist would then try to contact the wholesaler hoping it’s a wholesaler that their Pharmacies use.

Powrie

Hi feeling very concerned reading your post. I tend to have bad reactions when I change my medications just put in for repeat prescription for sinemet 12.5/50mg
I just hope I will be able to get sinemet not sure what to do if not available. Jenmek

Hi Jenmek

I also have really bad side effects when changing medicines so understand exactly how you feel. My repeat prescription was handed into my Pharmacy today but they don’t know when Sinemet will become available. I’m not sure what to do if I can’t have Sinemet. Fingers crossed that we all can have the medication we need.

Powrie

My Pharmacist told me last week when I picked up my repeat prescription that she was having difficulty sourcing Sinimet. Her solution was to keep ordering it in the hope of getting some when it became available.
There was no explanation for the shortage but she would keep me informed. If any info comes to light will post

Had an email yesterday from my PD Nurse saying there is a shipment due next week but wont believe it until my prescription for Sinemet 12.5/50mg has been filled. A post was put on PDUK & PD Scotland’s Facebook page dated 06.09.18 saying that a shipment was due last week and we are all still waiting. Does anyone have any further news ?

Hi @Powrie,

We’ve been told that the main type of Sinemet is now in shops and there is another round to be delivered in November. MSD are predicting no more shortages of that type of Sinemet (12.5).

I hope this answers your question.

Best wishes,
Reah

Hi Reah

Thank you so much for letting me know about the Sinemet. We got some today so thank goodness for that ! I hope we don’t have to experience this again.

Powrie

1 Like

Hi @Powrie,

That’s great news! Yes, I hope so too.

Best wishes,
Reah

I have my Sinimet 12,5/50 supplied by Boots Pharmacy and the were not under the impression that there was a problem with supplies of this particular drug.

sheffy

Hi sheffy

That’s interesting!

Hi sheffy

That’s interesting! 2 members of our local PD Group both use Boots for their prescription and both were told by Boots that there was no Sinemet to be had anywhere. Supplies seem to be ok now.

Powrie

Hi Powrie, I checked with my local Boots (Hinckley) last week 21/9/18 and they assured me that there will be no problem with my supply. The air will be blue if they don’t keep their word!!

sheffy

Hi Sheffy

Let’s hope we don’t have to turn the air blue! If I hear anything I will post it on the Forum

Powrie

Hi Reah
I queried this with my GP and was told that Sinemet Plus had been placed on the “Black List” because it was very expensive, and thet he was required to prescribe the cheaper generic version instead.

Knine

How many others are there out there with disabling diseases who have to put up with second best on these meds that don’t work properly and have to suffer the consequences, been there and done that ! Not very nice!

sheffy

Hi Sheila how are you doing?
I have had no roblems with my sinimet and have heard nothing about there being a shortage.

Babsx

Hi babeswood - been doing ok matey and you? I’ve got no problems with my supply either of medication, it’s just what others are saying about their supplies. I get mine from Boots the chemist instead of my local Pharmacy, they could only supply me with the generic meds so I changed to Boots. Hope you’re getting on ok, nice to hear from you

sheffy xx