Navin’s journey: How music, movement, and positivity shaped his path with Parkinson’s

Image of Navin, real CREXONT patient.

Navin isn’t your average person living with Parkinson’s disease. Diagnosed in 2013 at just 39 years old, he has spent over a decade not only learning how to manage the condition, but also how to thrive with it. Now in his early 50s, Navin continues to be resilient. He lives each day with joy and determination, grounded in the belief that Parkinson’s may be part of his life, but it doesn’t control it or keep him from the moments that matter most with his friends, his family, and how he chooses to live each day.

“Every day is a gift. If I don’t see the sunshine, I choose to be the sunshine.”

That mindset shows up in everything Navin does. He’s played the violin for more than 40 years and has even performed in a rock band with his electric fiddle. He’s taken up acting and motivational speaking, and created a platform where he shares his story to uplift others and help people see that life doesn’t stop with a diagnosis.

Navin is also a lifelong table tennis player. After his diagnosis, he leaned into the sport even more and noticed something he describes as incredible; his tremors would pause while he played. Demonstrating that effect during speaking engagements often leaves audiences speechless and hopeful.

“It’s about staying active mentally, physically, emotionally,” he says. “The moment you panic, you start to go downhill. But if you stay in motion, there’s still so much life to live.”

Like many people living with Parkinson’s, Navin tried several different treatment options over the years. None of the options felt quite right or helped him achieve his treatment goals, until his neurologist suggested he try CREXONT® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules.

Image of real CREXONT patient, Navin, working out at the gym.

From the start, Navin noticed a difference. “I’m really happy with CREXONT,” he says. “I had no idea it would be this good.”

 

He appreciated how smoothly the transition went for him and how an extended-release oral treatment fit better into his lifestyle. With fewer daily doses, he found himself less tied to a strict schedule, which gave him more freedom to focus on the things that mattered most—music, movement, and connection.

“It just fits,” he explains. “It gave me a sense of stability. I didn’t have to think about dosing constantly. That gave me more confidence and motivation to keep going.”

CREXONT is designed to provide a more gradual release of levodopa throughout the day, which may help reduce the ups and downs in blood/plasma concentrations that many patients experience with immediate-release treatments. While every person’s experience is unique, Navin felt like it offered him a smoother path forward.

“I am able to continue to tackle my Parkinson’s straight on, and that made me very happy,” he says.

Navin views his Parkinson’s not as a limitation, but as a launching point. It’s led him to discover new passions, build deeper relationships, and speak up for others who may feel isolated or unsure of what’s ahead.

He’s passionate about helping others see their diagnosis differently. Whether he’s sharing his story on social media, speaking from a stage, or even announcing it over an airplane loudspeaker (yes, really!), Navin’s goal is to let people know they’re not alone and that life after diagnosis is still full of possibility.

Image of Navin, a real patient taking CREXONT, holding a ping-pong paddle and his ping-pong medals.

“All of humanity is a family,” he says. “We’re all on this journey together. And if I can help someone feel even a little less afraid of the future, then I’ve done what I set out to do.”

Navin’s experience with CREXONT is his own and may not reflect the experience of every patient. For some patients, CREXONT may cause falling asleep during daily activities. Side effects may include nausea and anxiety. Individual results will vary. Talk to your patients to see if CREXONT is right for them. Only an HCP should assess each patient’s condition and advise them on treatment options.


IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Indications and Usage

CREXONT® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules for oral use is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication in adults.

Dosage and Administration

  • Levodopa-naïve patients: Starting dose is 35 mg carbidopa/140 mg levodopa taken orally twice daily for the first three days; thereafter, dosage may be increased gradually as needed
  • For patients converting to CREXONT from immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa, dosages are not substitutable on a 1:1 basis. See full prescribing information Section 2.2 for instructions
  • For patients converting from Rytary® (carbidopa and levodopa) extended-release capsules, initiate CREXONT on an approximately 1:1 mg basis using the levodopa component for conversion
  • CREXONT may be taken up to four times daily. The maximum recommended daily dosage is 525 mg carbidopa/2100 mg levodopa
  • CREXONT may be taken with or without food. Capsules should not be chewed, divided or crushed
  • CREXONT should not be taken with alcohol

Contraindications

Nonselective MAO inhibitors.

Warnings and Precautions

  • CREXONT may cause falling asleep during activities of daily living, somnolence or dizziness. Patients should avoid activities that require alertness such as driving and operating machinery until they know how CREXONT affects them
  • It is important to avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms such as high fever or confusion. Patients who are discontinuing CREXONT should taper off with healthcare provider guidance
  • Consider dose reductions or stopping CREXONT in patients with hallucinations or impulse control disorders (e.g., gambling, sexual urges, or uncontrolled spending)
  • Consider dose reduction in patients with dyskinesia
  • Patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with CREXONT
  • Monitor patients with a history of cardiovascular disease for cardiac function
  • Monitor patients with a history of peptic ulcer for upper GI hemorrhage
  • Monitor patients with glaucoma for increased intraocular pressure

Adverse Reactions

The most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 3% and greater than immediate-release CD/LD) are nausea and anxiety.

Drug Interactions

Iron salts and dopamine D2 antagonists, including metoclopramide, may reduce the effectiveness of CREXONT.

Use in Specific Populations

Pregnancy: Based on animal data, CREXONT may cause fetal harm. There are no adequate data on the developmental risk associated with the use of CREXONT in pregnant women.
Breastfeeding: The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for CREXONT.
Geriatric patients: There were no differences in safety outcomes between patients less than 65 years of age, 65-75 years of age, or 75 years and older.

To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Amneal Specialty, a division of Amneal Pharmaceuticals, LLC at 1‑877‑835‑5472 or the FDA at 1‑800‑FDA‑1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Please see full Prescribing Information for CREXONT.

Content is for guidance only. Please use clinical judgment when prescribing CREXONT. Dosage is individualized for each patient.