Side effects of co-beneldopa

There are things you can do to help cope with these common side effects of co-beneldopa:

If you lose your appetite, eat when you would usually expect to be hungry. It may help to eat smaller meals, more often than usual.

It may help to have a low-protein snack (such as a plain biscuit or cracker) with your medicine if you're feeling or being sick.

It may help to eat smaller meals, more often than usual.

If you're being sick, have frequent small sips of water to avoid dehydration. Signs of dehydration include peeing less than usual or having strong-smelling pee.

If you keep feeling or being sick, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse. They may be able to recommend an extra medicine to help with this.

If you take the combined contraceptive pill or the progestogen-only pill and you're being sick, your contraception may not protect you from pregnancy. Check the pill packet for advice.

Talk to your specialist nurse or doctor if this does not go away and is bothering you.

Try getting up very slowly, or stay sitting down until you feel better.

If you still feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint, then sit up for a while until you feel OK again.

Do not drive, cycle, or operate machinery if you feel dizzy. Do not drink alcohol as it may make you feel worse.

Avoid big meals, smoking, or drinking alcohol in the evening. Reduce tea and coffee and other drinks that contain caffeine.

Try not to watch TV or use your mobile phone before going to bed. Relax for an hour before bedtime.

Do not take any sleep remedies, including herbal remedies, without talking to a pharmacist, specialist nurse or doctor first.

Let your doctor or specialist nurse know as soon as possible. They may need to adjust your dose or medicine.

Dyskinesias are more likely if you've been taking co-beneldopa for a long time or at a high dose. Talk to your doctor about reviewing your medicine if this starts to happen.

You may also notice that your pee, saliva, tongue, teeth or inside of your mouth change colour. This is normal with co-beneldopa and is not dangerous.

Keep taking the medicine but talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.