28860-95-9 (net), 38821-49-7 (monohydrate)

What is carbidopa?

Carbidopa is a medication often used alongside levodopa to help manage Parkinson’s disease. By working together, they improve the treatment of symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. Carbidopa is particularly important because it enhances levodopa’s effectiveness while also reducing side effects such as nausea. This makes it easier for patients to tolerate their treatment and experience better overall results.

Carbidopa mechanism of action

Carbidopa primarily acts by inhibiting the enzyme aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase, which is responsible for converting levodopa into dopamine outside the brain. By preventing this conversion in the peripheral tissues, carbidopa ensures that more levodopa reaches the brain intact, where it can be transformed into dopamine. This not only maximises the therapeutic effect of levodopa but also reduces side effects associated with excess dopamine production in the body, such as nausea and vomiting. As a result, carbidopa enhances the overall efficacy of Parkinson’s disease treatment, helping to improve patients’ quality of life.

What is carbidopa used for?

Carbidopa is widely used to help manage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease when combined with levodopa. This combination is effective in reducing symptoms like tremors, stiffness, and slow movement, which can significantly impact daily life. By allowing more levodopa to reach the brain, carbidopa enhances its benefits while reducing common side effects, such as nausea, that often arise when levodopa is taken on its own.

In some cases, carbidopa is also used for other movement disorders with similar dopamine-related symptoms, making it a versatile choice for long-term symptom management.

Why choose Bachem as your carbidopa manufacturer?

Choosing Bachem as your carbidopa manufacturer means partnering with a global leader in high-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). With decades of experience in peptide and small molecule synthesis, Bachem offers unmatched expertise in producing carbidopa to the highest standards. Our GMP-certified facilities and stringent quality control processes ensure consistent, high-purity batches that meet rigorous regulatory requirements.

Bachem’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and well-stocked inventory allow us to support your supply chain needs, whether for large-scale or smaller, flexible orders. We are dedicated to customer satisfaction, offering a streamlined, responsive ordering process and expert regulatory support, including access to comprehensive documentation like Drug Master Files (DMFs) and Certificates of Suitability (CEPs).

Our commitment to quality, reliability, and tailored customer service makes Bachem an ideal choice for businesses looking for a trusted carbidopa API partner.

How do we ensure an optimised and high-yield production?

At Bachem, we prioritise efficient, high-yield production by combining advanced technology with robust quality control. Our state-of-the-art facilities support both small-scale and large-scale orders, with capacities ranging from grams to hundreds of kilograms, always delivered reliably and on time.

To keep our supply chain secure, we produce starting materials in-house, ensuring product consistency and availability. Innovation is also central to our approach—we continually enhance our processes and adopt new technologies to improve quality and reduce lead times. This commitment to efficiency and flexibility allows us to provide cost-effective, high-purity APIs that meet your needs across the generic API market.

Related generic APIs and services

Explore our range of high-quality generic APIs, including Buserelin Acetate. We also offer custom synthesis and regulatory support for streamlined solutions.

Parkinson’s disease

Carbidopa is a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor which exhibits a distinct pharmacological activity only when given in combination with levodopa. Carbidopa inhibits the peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa to dopamine. As, unlike levodopa, carbidopa does not cross the blood-brain barrier, effective brain concentrations of dopamine are produced with lower doses of levodopa.

In the treatment of parkinsonism carbidopa is administered in combination with levodopa to allow a lower dosage of the latter, a more rapid onset of a response, and a mitigation of adverse effects.

Molecular Formula

C₁₀H₁₄N₂O₄ · H₂O

Relative Molecular Mass

226.23 g/mol (net) 244.25 g/mol (monohydrate)

Long-term Storage

Room temperature

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