In January we told you that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an extended-release formulation of levodopa/carbidopa. That drug, Rytary, will soon be available for doctors to prescribe.

What may be shocking to patients trying this new medication is the number of capsules in each dose, even though there are fewer doses per day with Rytary.

For example, if someone was taking one Sinemet pill five times per day (five total), they may need three pills of Rytary three times per day (nine total) for the same effect.

That’s because the effect of Rytary spans over four to five hours. You need more drug to cover that window. However, the risk of dyskinesia is lower because of the medication’s bioavailability. It releases slowly over time so your levels don’t spike up to where they can cause too much movement.

It’s complicated, we know. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor to learn more and to devise a treatment regimen with which you’re comfortable.