Hi there, my 75 year old Mum has just started to take Sinemet today 12.5mg/50mg (at 8am, 12pm and 5pm) but has felt so unwell and worried.
Currently on the phone to 111 but is this normal to feel so unwell after only one day?
Also Mum and I are unclear of when is best to eat?
Any help much appreciated.
Hello @ATC, thank you for sharing your first post. Welcome to the forum. We hope you find the community helpful.
We’re sorry to hear that your mum is feeling unwell and worried. That must be hard for both of you. It’s good that you are seeking medical advice by calling 111. We hope they can help.
Yes, you will usually take Sinemet 3 or 4 times a day, as your mum does. But this will vary, and your mum’s healthcare professional will tell you what dose is best for her Parkinson’s. If you continue to be worried, you should speak to your GP, specialist, Parkinson’s nurse, or pharmacist about how to take co-careldopa (Sinemet) so that it works well for your mum’s Parkinson’s.
For some people, protein can cause problems with how well levodopa medications are absorbed by the body. Because of this, your mum may benefit from having most of her daily protein in the evening. This can help the levodopa treatment work better in the daytime, when you are likely to need it more.
It’s also best to take levodopa medication on an empty stomach if possible. If this medication makes your mum feel sick, encourage her to take it when eating a low protein snack, like a cracker or a piece of fresh fruit. This can help your mum stop feeling sick, but it will still mean that her medication is absorbed properly by her body.
You can read more about the drug, the benefits, side effects, and different types on our website: Levodopa (co-beneldopa and co-careldopa) | Parkinson's UK
We’re also here to help support you and your mum. Our free, confidential helpline is available to anyone affected by Parkinson’s. Our trained advisers can offer support and advice, and you can ask to speak to one of our Parkinson’s nurses: 0808 800 0303. Our helpline is available Monday - Friday 9 am to 6 pm and Saturdays, 10am - 1 pm.
We hope your mum feels better soon 
Parkinson’s UK Moderation Team
Hi ATC. my husband takes Sinemet and has done from the very beginning. His dose ha been altered and now takes 4.5 tablets a day. - 9am 1pm. 5pm. and 10pm. all are taken before eating due to times except the 10pm which Is after. He did start on 3 then went to 4 very quickly but was reduced down to 3 a he got severe depression so that is something to watch out for. He is absolutely fine with the tablets now but I was worried when Sinemet went up 8 months ago to 4.5 a day but actually he is coping all right. It’s been so long now I cannot remember if there was a problem other than the depression. I think tiredness is an issue he does feel tired a lot. hope helps!