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On Wed 10 Nov, ERVIN J MCCARTHY wrote:
> Brian, having just started on SinemetCR 25/100 three times a day, what are
> your views aboutSinemet vs. SinemetCR?

> >
> > --
> > Brian Collins  <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
Hello Ervin
The short answer about the Controlled Release type of tablet is that it is a
Good Thing: The pity is that we can only get one release rate, where what we
really need is a choice of release rates.
  If you consider a moment, as we tinker witth the size of the tablet, and
vary the time between taking each tablet (That is about all we can do)) what
we are actually striving to attain is a controlled rate of flow of levodopa
into our brain. In the days when I could take the flow rate, Only the
Sinemet CR 50/200 was available. It lasted about 4 hours, for an average
flow rate of 50 mg/hour. Now if you will allow me to skip a bit of the story
my personal flow requirement is 37 mg/hour, so 50 mg/hr is too high.
Initially you can tolerate the mis match, but as time goes on the high
flow rate will catch up with you.

Now, you have been prescribed the newer CR25/100 tablets, and the first
question to ask is : How long does each tablet last? I think that the drug
manufacturer  has aimed at getting the same duration (4 hours) as the
bigger tablet. If so, you will get 25 mg/hr., and that is a pity, because
you will be underdosed, with no relief of symptoms.

The figure of 37 is my individual target which I derived using a computer
program which I wrote specifically for that job. It is a value defined by
the whole body, and is not adjustable.

Just in case your findings do not correspond with my predictions, could
you give me your experiencies so far ?

If you want to fill in the gaps in what I have written here, may I refer
you to Simon Coles' web site,  where you will find some of my writings
on this and related subjects

   http://james.parkinsons.org.uk/brian.htm


Regards,
--
Brian Collins  <[log in to unmask]>