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Liquid sinemet is not as easily attainable in the U.S. due to dosing problems (easily taking too much). It can be purchased, however, from other sources (for example, Canada), and in some cases, within the states. The use of "homemade" liquid sinemet has long been used to help with on/off fluctuations and/or those who do not get a quick reaction to taking a pill for L-dopa. REMEMBER: DO NOT CRUSH SINEMET CR - PER THE MANUFACTURER. "Liquid Sinemet has the same effect as the pill form. In fact it is made by crushing regular Sinemet 25/100 tablets and dissolving that in water and a little vitamin C. The main advantage to liquid Sinemet is that it can allow a person to more easily take very small amounts of Sinemet very frequently. Both the tablet and the liquid are very well absorbed. Liquid doesn't work any "faster". Occasionally, a person also has an easier time swallowing liquid than taking the pill.* If the person is taking medication through a G tube (tube into the stomach), the usual way to do that is to simply crush the regular Sinemet, put it in a little water and give it as a bolus in a syringe followed by a flush of plain water. It is not usually worth the trouble to make up a batch of liquid Sinemet. Liquid Sinemet has to be made up fresh each day. It is not advisable to use liquid Sinemet rather than the tablets unless you have discussed it with your physician." (Information from the APDA Parkinson Newsletter) *Schwarz/Pharma now markets a new "pre-dissolved" form of carbadopa/levedopa, known as Parcopa. You do not have to take water with it as it simple disintegrates on your tongue. It also has a "minty" taste. SEE RECIPE FOR LIQUID SINEMET BELOW _ ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR FIRST! Peggy From the James Parkinsons website (Everything you ever wanted to know about "Liquid Sinemet" and more!) http://james.parkinsons.org.uk/Brian/liquid-sinemet.html How to Make Liquid Sinemet (Note that one ounce is about the same as 30 ml or 30 cc) 1. Sinemet (Carbidopa/L-Dopa), with the maximum solubility of L-Dopa being approximately 2 mg/ml. 2. Ginger ale Formula: to a 10 ounce (300 ml) bottle of ginger ale, add one 25/250 Sinemet (Carbidopa/L-Dopa) tablet, or three 1/2 Sinemet 10/100 tablets. After the fizzing settles down you will have a solution of approximately 1 mg per ml for the Sinemet 25/250 (really 0.83 mg/ml of the 25/250 Sinemet), or 0.5 mg/ml of the 10/100 Sinemet. Since most people swallow between 20 and 30 ml per swallow, every swallow is considered approximately to be 25 mg of L-Dopa for the 25/250 Sinemet, and 10 to 15 mg of the 10/100 Sinemet. If you keep it cool and out of sunlight it will be stable for at least 24 hours. B. Liquid Sinemet Made With Orange Juice Formula: 1. To find the volume of orange juice to put the pills in: Count the total number of 25/100 pills you are taking per day, and multiply this by 100 cc (100 cc is the same as 100 ml, and there are 5 cc in a teaspoon). So if you are taking ten (10) 25/100 pills each day, you will need 10 X 100 cc = 1000 cc of orange juice or Tang 2. To determine the amount of Vitamin C to use: For every 1000 cc of orange juice, you need two teaspoons (2 gm) of Ascorbic Acid (powdered Vitamin C). Add this to the orange juice. 3. Add the pills to the orange juice, shake, and let stand -----Original Message----- From: Diane Nicolaou [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 5:19 AM Subject: Suggestions Needed I am having jaw surgery later this month and will not be able to open my mouth or jaws for 3 weeks after. I am not so concerned about being in intensive care on a respirator immediately afterwards or being on a liquid diet for 3 weeks but how am I to take my Sinemet CR and mirapex? I really rely on them every 3 1/2 to 4 hours. The Doctors say I will have to crush all meds and my Neuro says I can do that it just won't last as long. The pharmacy tells me there is no liquid sinemet. This has me worried. Any advice? and how do I make sure they give me my meds while I am hospitalized? I'm thinking this is going to be a struggle. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn