Merck Sharp & Dohme (manufacturer of Sinemet CR®) have advised that The Sinemet CR® (levodopa/carbidopa) shortage situation has been resolved and a registered Australian Sinemet CR® product is now available.

The newly registered Sinemet CR® product will be exactly the same in formulation and appearance as the version currently supplied. However the quantity will change from 60 tablets supplied in a blister pack to a quantity of 100 tablets supplied in a bottle.

Please speak with your pharmacist or doctor should you have any questions about your treatment.

Previously supplied product
(prior to shortage)

Alternative UK product currently supplied under section 19A
(during shortage)

Newly registered Australian Product
(post shortage)

Tablet Appearance

Dappled, purple, oval tablet, plain on one side and marked with 521

Peach-coloured, oval shaped, biconvex tablets, deep-scored on one side and the other marked ‘521’

Peach-coloured, oval shaped, biconvex tablets, deep-scored on one side and the other marked ‘521’

Quantity 100 tablets 60 tablets 100 tablets
Container type Bottle Blister pack Bottle

Excipients

Hyprolose, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, indigo carmine and allura red AC Hyprolose, magnesium stearate, crotonic acid- polyvinylacetate copolymer, iron oxide red, quinoline yellow aluminium lake Hyprolose, magnesium stearate, crotonic acid- polyvinylacetate copolymer, iron oxide red, quinoline yellow aluminium lake
Note that although the replacement tablets have a score line, they should not be halved or broken.
The tablets must NOT be halved or broken and should be taken whole.
Swallow SINEMET® CR 200/50 tablets whole, with a glass of water. In order to maintain the slow- release properties of SINEMET® CR 200/50, do not chew or crush the tablets.
In addition, your dose may have to be re-titrated, under the supervision of your doctor, to ensure the appropriate daily dose is administered for the appropriate clinical response.
Please speak with your pharmacist or doctor should you have any questions about your treatment.

Click here for printable version

SINEMET® CR SHORTAGE RESVOLVED

Merck Sharp & Dohme (manufacturer of Sinemet CR®) have advised that The Sinemet CR® (levodopa/carbidopa) shortage situation has been resolved and a registered Australian Sinemet CR® product is now available.

The newly registered Sinemet CR® product will be exactly the same in formulation and appearance as the version currently supplied. However the quantity will change from 60 tablets supplied in a blister pack to a quantity of 100 tablets supplied in a bottle.

Please speak with your pharmacist or doctor should you have any questions about your treatment.

• Note that although the replacement tablets have a score line, they should not be halved or broken.
• The tablets must NOT be halved or broken and should be taken whole.
• Swallow SINEMET® CR 200/50 tablets whole, with a glass of water. In order to maintain the slow- release properties of SINEMET® CR 200/50, do not chew or crush the tablets.
• In addition, your dose may have to be re-titrated, under the supervision of your doctor, to ensure the appropriate daily dose is administered for the appropriate clinical response.

Please speak with your pharmacist or doctor should you have any questions about your treatment.

Click here for printable version