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 #  Merck to Discontinue Supplying SINEMET CR in the United States 

 

   

 **WASHINGTON (July 16, 2019)** — Today Merck announced the decision to discontinue supplying the continuous release (CR) formulation of SINEMET® in the U.S. Sinemet® is the brand name formulation of [carbidopa/levodopa](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications/levodopa). SINEMET CR will continue to be available until the current inventory is depleted. This will not affect the immediate release formulation of SINEMET or the generic form of carbidopa/levodopa CR.

The Parkinson’s Foundation wants to assist people with Parkinson’s and their families who may need to transition to different therapies, including generic equivalents. We recommend that you consult with your doctor and healthcare team for advice as dosages may need to be adjusted when switching to generic formulations.

For more information about PD treatments, contact the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) or <Helpline@Parkinson.org>.

**For more information on Sinemet and Parkinson's disease:**

- [Generic vs. Branded Drugs](https://www.parkinson.org/living-with-parkinsons/treatment/prescription-medications)
- [Substantial Matters Podcast Episode #13: Generic Drugs for Parkinson's](https://www.parkinson.org/library/podcast/13)

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**About the Parkinson’s Foundation**  
The Parkinson’s Foundation makes life better for people with Parkinson’s disease by improving care and advancing research toward a cure. In everything we do, we build on the energy, experience and passion of our global Parkinson’s community. Since 1957, the Parkinson’s Foundation has invested more than $400 million in Parkinson’s research and clinical care. Connect with us on [Parkinson.org](http://www.parkinson.org/), [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/ParkinsonDotOrg), [Twitter](http://www.twitter.com/ParkinsonDotOrg), [Instagram](http://www.instagram.com/ParkinsonDotOrg/) or call (800) 4PD-INFO (473-4636).

**About Parkinson’s Disease**  
Affecting an estimated one million Americans and 10 million worldwide, Parkinson’s disease is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s and is the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S. It is associated with a progressive loss of motor control (e.g., shaking or tremor at rest and lack of facial expression), as well as non-motor symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety). There is no cure for Parkinson’s and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S. alone.

 

 

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