crexont
Pharmaranks rates Crexont 3.5/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Crexont is a combination medicine containing Carbidopa and Levodopa.
Carbidopa and Levodopa · by Impax
Available as a generic: Carbidopa and Levodopa
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Carbidopa and Levodopa
- Form
- Capsule, extended release
- Strength
- Carbidopa 35MG; Levodopa 140MG · Carbidopa 52.5MG; Levodopa 210MG · Carbidopa 70MG; Levodopa 280MG · Carbidopa 87.5MG; Levodopa 350MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- Manufacturer
- Impax
- Half-life
- about 50 minutes (extended to about 1.5 hours when taken with carbidopa) (how long it stays in your system)
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$20.52 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- NDA217186
What is Crexont?
From the FDA label:CREXONT is a combination of carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, and levodopa, an aromatic amino acid, in extended-release capsules for oral use. CREXONT contains immediate-release granules consisting of carbidopa and levodopa and extended-release pellets consisting of levodopa. Carbidopa is a white to off-white powder, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 244.24. It is designated chemically as (–)-L-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxy-benzene) propanoic acid monohydrate. Its molecular formula is C 10 H 14 N 2 O 4 •H 2 O and its structural formula is: Capsule content is expressed in terms of anhydrous carbidopa, which has a molecular weight of 226.3. Levodopa is a white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 197.2. It is designated chemically as (–)-L-α-amino-β-(3,4-dihydroxy-benzene) propanoic acid. Its molecular formula is C 9 H 11 NO 4 and its structural formula is: Each CREXONT extended-release capsule contains 35 mg carbidopa and 140 mg levodopa, 52.5 mg carbidopa and 210 mg levodopa, 70 mg carbidopa and 280 mg levodopa, or 87.5 mg carbidopa and 350 mg levodopa. The inactive ingredients are amino methacrylate copolymer, cellulose acetate, copovidone, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, mannitol, methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate copolymer,…
How to use
Evaluate vitamin B6 levels prior to starting treatment with carbidopa/levodopa therapies. ( 2.1 ) Levodopa-naïve patients: Starting dose is 35 mg carbidopa / 140 mg levodopa taken orally twice daily for the first 3 days; on the fourth day of treatment, dosage may be increased gradually as needed. ( 2.2 ) Patients converting from immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa: See Table 1 for instructions; dosages are not substitutable on a 1:1 basis. ( 2.3 ) The maximum recommended daily dosage of CREXONT is 525 mg carbidopa / 2100 mg levodopa. ( 2.2 , 2.3 ) CREXONT may be taken with or without food; do not chew, divide, or crush. ( 2.5 , 12.3 ) CREXONT should not be taken with alcohol. ( 2.5 , 12.3 ) 2.1 Management of Vitamin B6 Levels Evaluate vitamin B6 levels prior to initiating carbidopa/levodopa therapies, including CREXONT, periodically during treatment, and as clinically indicated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ]. If vitamin B6 levels are low, supplement to sufficient levels per standard of care. Patients may initiate and continue treatment with CREXONT while supplementing vitamin B6. 2.2 Dosage in Patients Naïve to Levodopa Therapy The recommended starting dosage of CREXONT in levodopa-naïve patients is 35 mg carbidopa / 140 mg levodopa taken orally twice daily for the first three days. Thereafter, dosage may be increased gradually as needed to a maximum daily dosage of…
Side effects
The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in the labeling: Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiovascular Ischemic Events [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] Hallucinations/Psychosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4) ] Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5) ] Dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6) ] Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Seizures [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) ] P eptic Ulcer Disease [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8) ] Glaucoma [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9) ] The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 3% and greater than immediate-release CD-LD) are nausea and anxiety. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Pharmaceuticals at 1-877-835-5472 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The safety population consisted of 589 patients with Parkinson’s disease who received CREXONT for up to 76 weeks and…
Warnings
Important safety information
May cause falling asleep during activities of daily living. ( 5.1 ) Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction to reduce the risk of withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion. ( 5.2 ) Cardiovascular Events: Monitor patients with a history of cardiovascular disease. ( 5.3 ) Hallucinations/Psychosis may occur. ( 5.4 ) Impulse Control Disorders: Consider dose reduction or stopping CREXONT if occurs. ( 5.5 ) May cause or exacerbate dyskinesia: Consider dose reduction. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence Patients treated with levodopa, a component of CREXONT, have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on levodopa, some perceived that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event (sleep attack). Some of these events have been reported more than 1 year after initiation of treatment. Falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in patients experiencing preexisting somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess for drowsiness or sleepiness in CREXONT-treated patients, especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Before initiating treatment with CREXONT, advise patients of the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with CREXONT, such as concomitant sedating medications or the presence of a sleep disorder. Consider discontinuing CREXONT in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating, etc.). If a decision is made to continue CREXONT, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patients become somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. 5.2 Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion A symptom complex that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in dopaminergic therapy. Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction in patients taking CREXONT. If the decision is made to discontinue CREXONT, the dose should be tapered to reduce the risk of hyperpyrexia and confusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.6) ] . 5.3 Cardiovascular Ischemic Events Cardiovascular ischemic events have occurred in patients taking CREXONT. In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies (14) ], 4/589 (0.7%) of CREXONT-treated patients experienced cardiovascular ischemic adverse reactions compared to 2/630 (0.3%) of oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa-treated patients. These patients all had a previous history of ischemic heart disease or risk factors for ischemic heart disease. In patients with a history of myocardial infarction who have residual atrial, nodal, or ventricular arrhythmias, cardiac function should be monitored in an intensive cardiac care facility during the period of initial dosage adjustment. 5.4 Hallucinations/Psychosis There is an increased risk for hallucinations in patients taking CREXONT. In Study 1, 17/589 (3%) of CREXONT-treated patients reported hallucinations compared to 2/630 (0.3%) of oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa-treated patients. Hallucinations present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to dose reduction in levodopa. Hallucinations may be accompanied by confusion, insomnia, and excessive dreaming. Abnormal thinking and behavior may present with one or more symptoms, including paranoid ideation, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, psychotic-like behavior, disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, and delirium. Because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis, patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with CREXONT. In addition, medications that antagonize the effects of dopamine used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and may decrease the effectiveness of CREXONT [see Drug Interactions (7.2) ] . 5.5 Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors Case reports suggest that patients can experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications, including CREXONT, that increase central dopaminergic tone and that are generally used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced or the medication was discontinued. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to specifically ask patients or their caregivers about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, or other urges while being treated with CREXONT. Consider a dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges while taking CREXONT. 5.6 Dyskinesia CREXONT can cause dyskinesias that may require a dosage reduction of CREXONT or other medications used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. 5.7 Vitamin B6 Deficiency and Seizures Treatment with carbidopa-levodopa, including CREXONT, may contribute to reduced vitamin B6 levels. Higher doses of carbidopa/levodopa may increase the risk of vitamin B6 deficiency. Seizures associated with vitamin B6 deficiency have been reported in the postmarketing setting in patients taking carbidopa/levodopa. In these reported cases, seizures were refractory to traditional anti-seizure medications and only resolved after vitamin B6 administration. Other symptoms of vitamin B6 deficiency may occur, including depression, confusion, cheilosis, glossitis, dermatitis, anemia, and/or neuropathy. Evaluate vitamin B6 levels prior to initiation of CREXONT and periodically while on treatment or if symptoms associated with vitamin B6 deficiency are identified. Supplement with vitamin B6 as necessary. 5.8 Peptic Ulcer Disease Treatment with CREXONT may increase the possibility of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients with a history of peptic ulcer. 5.9 Glaucoma CREXONT may cause increased intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Monitor intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma after starting CREXONT.
Who should not take Crexont
CREXONT is contraindicated in patients currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. Hypertension can occur if these drugs are used concurrently [see Drug Interactions (7.1) ] . Nonselective MAO inhibitors (4)
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Based on the limited available information, the acute symptoms of levodopa/carbidopa overdosage can be expected to arise from dopaminergic overstimulation. Doses of a few grams may result in CNS disturbances, with an increasing likelihood of cardiovascular disturbance (e.g., hypotension, tachycardia) and more severe psychiatric problems at higher doses. An isolated report of rhabdomyolysis and another of transient renal insufficiency suggest that levodopa overdosage may give rise to systemic complications, secondary to dopaminergic overstimulation. In the event of CREXONT overdosage, monitor patients and provide supportive care. Patients should receive electrocardiographic monitoring for the development of arrhythmias; if needed, appropriate antiarrhythmic therapy should be given. The possibility that the patient may have taken other drugs, increasing the risk of drug interactions (especially catechol-structured drugs) should be taken into consideration.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Iron salts and dopamine D2 antagonists, including metoclopramide, may reduce the effectiveness of CREXONT. ( 7.2 , 7.3 ) 7.1 Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) Inhibitors Nonselective MAO Inhibitors The use of nonselective MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine and tranylcypromine) with CREXONT is contraindicated [see Contraindications (4) ] . Discontinue use of any nonselective MAO inhibitors at least two weeks prior to initiating CREXONT. Selective MAO Inhibitors The use of selective MAO-B inhibitors (e.g., rasagiline and selegiline) with CREXONT may be associated with orthostatic hypotension. Monitor patients who are taking these drugs concurrently. 7.2 Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonists and Isoniazid Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide) and isoniazid may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa. Monitor patients for worsening Parkinson’s symptoms. 7.3 Iron Salts Iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts can form chelates with levodopa and carbidopa and can cause a reduction in the bioavailability of CREXONT. If iron salts or multivitamins containing iron salts are co-administered with CREXONT, monitor patients for worsening Parkinson’s symptoms.
Foods & drinks to be careful with
Well-established interactions for this medicine’s drug class, summarized from public health authorities. General information, not medical advice — always confirm with your pharmacist or the label.
High-protein meals
Watch out for: meat, fish, eggs, dairy, beans and other protein-heavy foods — and protein shakes.
Levodopa is an amino acid, and it crosses the gut wall on the same transporter that carries dietary amino acids. Eat a lot of protein at the same time and the two compete: the Sinemet label states that absorption of levodopa may be impaired in some people on a high-protein diet.
What to do: This is about TIMING, not about eating less protein — you need protein. Many people take levodopa 30 to 60 minutes before a meal, and some are advised to shift most of their protein to the evening. Do not restrict protein on your own; ask your neurologist how to space doses around meals.
Source: SINEMET (carbidopa and levodopa) — FDA label, Clinical Pharmacology (DailyMed)
How long does Carbidopa and Levodopa stay in your body?
The elimination half-life of carbidopa and levodopa is about 50 minutes (extended to about 1.5 hours when taken with carbidopa) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. Per the FDA label, levodopa's plasma half-life is about 50 minutes on its own, but it is increased to about 1.5 hours when given with carbidopa (as in Sinemet) — the standard combination that prevents peripheral breakdown of levodopa. Levodopa is effectively a prodrug: it is converted to dopamine in the body/brain (unlike dopamine itself, it crosses the blood-brain barrier). Because the half-life is so short, the drug clears within a few hours, which is why Parkinson's dosing is frequent; adding a COMT inhibitor such as entacapone further prolongs levodopa exposure. Half-life reflects how the body clears the drug, not a drug-test detection window.
This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: SINEMET (carbidopa and levodopa) tablet — FDA label via DailyMed.
Dosage forms
Capsule, extended release
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
- How is Crexont rated?
- pharmaranks gives Crexont a composite score of 3.5 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Crexont cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $20.52 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Crexont?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Crexont. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Crexont?
- Crexont is marketed by Impax. You can see Impax's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Crexont a brand-name or generic drug?
- Crexont is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Carbidopa and Levodopa. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Carbidopa and Levodopa are available — ask your pharmacist.
- Is Crexont available over the counter?
- No. Crexont is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Crexont come in?
- Crexont is currently marketed as capsule, extended release, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- Is Crexont FDA-registered?
- Crexont is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA217186. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Crexont been recalled by the FDA?
- Crexont has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.
- Is Crexont safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Crexont a recall-safety score of 70/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Crexont?
- Crexont's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The following serious adverse reactions are discussed below and elsewhere in the labeling: Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Cardiovascular Ischemi… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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