Gocovri

Gocovri is a prescription medication used to treat sudden uncontrolled movements in those with Parkinson’s disease and who are being treated with levodopa therapy.

Gocovri belongs to a group of drugs called adamantane derivatives. It is not known how adamantane derivatives work to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

This medication comes in extended-release capsule form and is taken once a day at bedtime, with or without food.

Do not chew, divide, or break Gocovri capsules. Swallow capsules whole. Capsules may be opened and contents sprinkled on soft food such as applesauce.

Common side effects of Gocovri include hallucinations, dizziness, and dry mouth.

Gocovri can also cause drowsiness and dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Gocovri affects you.

Gocovri is a prescription medicine for treating dyskinesia (sudden uncontrolled movements) in patients with Parkinson’s disease and who are being treated with levodopa therapy (such as Sinemet, Parcopa, Stalevo, Prolopa, Rytary, Duopa), with or without other medicines that increase the effects of dopamine in the brain.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Gocovri. See the “Gocovri Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Gocovri include the following:

• hallucination
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• peripheral edema
• constipation
• fall
• low blood pressure when standing up

This is not a complete list of Gocovri side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other anticholinergic drugs such as glycopyrrolate (Cuvposa, Robinul), trospium (Sanctura), oxybutynin (Anturol, Gelnique, Oxytrol, Ditropan), solifenacin (Vesicare), dicyclomine (Bentyl), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), and atropine (Atropen, Sal-Tropine)
• drugs that affect urine pH such acetazolamide and sodium bicarbonate

This is not a complete list of Gocovri drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Gocovri including:

• excessive drowsiness and falling asleep during the daytime.
• impulse control/compulsive behaviors. Patients treated with Gocovri can experience intense urges (sexual, gambling, spending money uncontrollably).
• hallucinations or psychotic behavior. Patients treated with Gocovri should be observed for these side effects.
• depression and suicidal thoughts. Patients treated with Gocovri should be monitored for these side effects.
• Low blood pressure. Low blood pressure may cause you to feel faint or dizzy. Inadequate fluid intake, excessive sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can lead to an excessive fall in blood pressure too. Lie down if you feel faint or dizzy. Call your doctor right away.
• fever and confusion upon sudden discontinuation. Do not stop Gocovri suddenly. Talk to your doctor about how to stop Gocovri.

Do not take Gocovri if you:

• are allergic to Gocovri or to any of its ingredients
• have severe kidney problems

While taking Gocovri: 

• Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how this medication affects you
• Do not drink alcohol as it can increase your chances of serious side effects
• Do not stop or change the dose of Gocovri before talking with your doctor. Call your healthcare provider if you have symptoms of withdrawal such as fever, confusion, or severe muscle stiffness
• Do not take a flu nasal spray, but you can receive a flu shot

Live vaccines are not recommended while taking Gocovri. Gocovri may affect how well the live vaccines work.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Gocovri, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Gocovri, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Gocovri or to any of its ingredients
• have kidney problems
• have daytime sleepiness or a sleep disorder
• take any medications to help you sleep or that make you drowsy
• have any mental health problems such as depression or hallucinations
• drink alcoholic beverages
• have or have had urges such as gambling, increased sex drive, or compulsive shopping or eating
• have or have had psychotic behavior issues
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. No well-controlled studies have been done in humans. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Gocovri has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Gocovri, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Gocovri may affect breast milk production or milk excretion.

Take Gocovri exactly as prescribed.

Gocovri comes in capsule form and is taken once every day at bedtime. Take with or without food.

Do not chew, divide, or break Gocovri capsules. Swallow capsules whole. Capsules may be opened and contents sprinkled on soft food such as applesauce and take mixture.

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Gocovri at the same time.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The recommended starting dose of Gocovri for the treatment of Parkinson's disease symptoms is 137 mg once daily at bedtime. After 1 week, it is recommended the dose is increased to 274 mg once daily at bedtime. People with lower kidney function may require lower doses.

If you take too much Gocovri, call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store Gocovri at room temperature.
• Keep this and all medicines out of the reach of children.