[madamlash]

Is this a possibility? Has anyone else had this experience. I am getting to the end of the bottles. I take 1 comtan 200 every 4 hours with carbo/levo 25-100 1.5 every 4 hours. All of a sudden it just doesn't work. It seems like then when I get a fresh supply, it works again. Can it be bad batches or can it lose it's potency with time?

[mrsD]

There is a moisture warning for Sinemet...

When you open the bottle often you are letting light and moisture in frequently.

You can ask for those canisters that absorb moisture at your pharmacy...they may save some for you if you ask from other drugs. (drugs with coatings are best because the powder does not come off on the absorbant.)

You might take a week's worth out, put into another air tight smaller bottle, and see if that batch lasts better for you. The backup supply will remain closed for longer, and you will use up the weeks' worth quickly. Some pill minding containers are not air tight, so just ask at your pharmacy for a small bottle and a duplicate label and try that. It might fix your problem.

[lindylanka]

Hi, you are on exactly the same dosage as me, wondered whether the carbo/levo you take is generic or branded, if it is bubble packed in foil it should be stable, if it is in a bottle, could be it loses some........

There are variations between different formulas.

I have had a bad batch of branded, but when reported it came back that the batch was fine, I could tell the difference and people around me could see it ...

There are many reports of people not doing so well on generics, or not doing so well when changed from one type to another.

Did you have a change in generic?
Is there a difference in source?

Not all generics are equal and not all brandeds are either.

MrsD's suggestions are great.

But what you are describing is a decline in potency..... as though the supply you get is going off.......

There is a global shortage of branded, and a subsequent shift to generic and combination meds, I wonder if there is also a slipping of quality control as they struggle to meet demand.... speculation of course......

Have also wondered about this as there are more reports of dose failure, which is also what you are describing...........

Perhaps keeping a diary of this or just a note on the calendar, might clear up whether it is related to meds 'aging' in the container, or whether you are experiencing dose failure as a side-effect of long term use.... if it is consistent towards the end of your supply, it would indicate that there is some decline in efficacy, and if you continue to have problems even after taking the precautions that MRsD gave, then perhaps you should report it. If there is a problem with batches then making a report alerts suppliers and manufacturers to the issue (theoretically, at least)

Lindy

[made it up]

Originally Posted by madamlash

Is this a possibility? Has anyone else had this experience. I am getting to the end of the bottles. I take 1 comtan 200 every 4 hours with carbo/levo 25-100 1.5 every 4 hours. All of a sudden it just doesn't work. It seems like then when I get a fresh supply, it works again. Can it be bad batches or can it lose it's potency with time?

Hi there,
Mrs D and Lindy make good points. The one I was thinking though when I read your post was perhaps it could be time for you and or neurologist to review and maybe add on another drug or increase dosage of comtan and/ or levodopa?
Other ideas are maybe you're working harder, stressed etc etc.

[madamlash]

Originally Posted by made it up

Hi there,
Mrs D and Lindy make good points. The one I was thinking though when I read your post was perhaps it could be time for you and or neurologist to review and maybe add on another drug or increase dosage of comtan and/ or levodopa?
Other ideas are maybe you're working harder, stressed etc etc.

I had a lengthy talk with my favorite pharm and he told me that one of the companies that made carbi/levo had been bought out by Teva the Azilect people and that they had made a minor change to the appearance but supposedly nothing else. I just picked up a new supply and sure enough, the very first few doses worked exactly as they should. hmmmm Anyone know where you can get these things tested and how expensive it might be to do so? I for one would like to know if it's me or them.