Save on Duodopa with Coupons, Discounts & Savings Programs

Duodopa is the brand name for carbidopa/levodopa and is available as an intestinal gel.

100 ml of Duodopa contains 2000 mg levodopa and 500 mg carbidopa monohydrate.

Duodopa is used for the treatment of advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease with severe motor fluctuations and hyperkinesia or dyskinesia when available combinations of Parkinson medicinal products have not given satisfactory results.

Duodopa is a combination medication used to increase dopamine levels in the brain. Levodopa is a dopamine replacement. Once you take levodopa, it travels into the brain where it turns into dopamine. Carbidopa is a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor. It stops dopa decarboxylase, a protein in the body that breaks down levodopa before levodopa can reach the brain. By blocking this protein, more levodopa can get to the brain and turn into dopamine. This increases levodopa’s ability to relieve PD symptoms.

The total dose/day of Duodopa is composed of three individually adjusted doses:

• morning bolus, continuous maintenance and extra bolus doses administered over approximately 16 hours. Total morning dose is usually 5-10ml (100-200mg levodopa) but not exceeding 15ml (300mg levodopa). Continuous maintenance dose should be between 1-10ml/hr (20-200mg levodopa/hr) but usually 2-6ml/hr (40-120mg levodopa/hr). Maximum recommended daily dose is 200ml.

Duodopa is a safe and effective treatment when used for FDA licensed indications. However, like all medications, they may give you unwanted side effects. You should always discuss potential side effects with your physician to ensure the medication is suitable and right for you. You should not use this medication in the following:

• Hypersensitivity to the active substances or any of the excipients, narrow-angle glaucoma, severe heart failure or cardiac arrhythmia, acute stroke.
• Conditions where adrenergics are contraindicated (e.g. pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome).
• Non-selective MAO-inhibitors and selective MAO type A inhibitors are contraindicated and should be withdrawn at least two weeks before starting Duodopa.
• Suspicious undiagnosed skin lesions or a history of melanoma.

Common side effects of Duodopa:

• Urinary tract infections
• Weight loss
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Dyskinesia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Falls

Serious side effects are rare with Duodopa. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following:

• Serious stomach problems related to the procedure for tube placement: stomach pain; constipation for more than a few days; nausea; vomiting; fever; blood in your stool; dark, tarry stool
• Withdrawal symptoms after stopping suddenly: confusion, very high fevers, sweating, muscle stiffness, irregular pulse, changes in blood pressure
• Heart problems: chest pain that might travel to the arm, neck, or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweat
• Suicidal thoughts or behavior

The following medications may interact with Duodopa:

• Antihypertensives
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Anticholinergics
• Dopamine receptor antagonists Benzodiazepines
• Isoniazide
• Phenytoin
• Papaverine
• Sympathicomimetics
• Iron
• Protein-rich diet
• COMT inhibitors

AbbVie Inc.

It is not known whether this medication is safe for you and your unborn baby during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you are already pregnant or if you have plans on becoming pregnant. They will recommend what is best for you.

• Carbidopa/Levodopa