Duopa

Description

Generic Name:

Carbidopa and levodopa enteral

Description:
Duopa enteral suspension contains a combination of carbidopa and levodopa. Levodopa is converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa helps prevent the breakdown of levodopa before it can reach the brain and take effect.

Duopa is used to treat movement problems in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease. Duopa reduces the “off time” effect associated with taking other medicines to treat Parkinson’s symptoms.

Duopa enteral suspension is a gel form of carbidopa and levodopa and is delivered at a constant rate throughout the day into the small intestine using an infusion pump via a surgically implanted tube. This delivery method avoids the stomach and improves the effectiveness of the medicine.

Indication:
Parkinson’s disease

Dosage:
Duopa Enteral Suspension (carbidopa 4.63 mg-levodopa 20 mg per mL) is indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease.
-Administered into the jejunum through a PEG-J tube using a CADD-Legacy 1400 portable infusion pump; for short term administration, a naso-jejunal tube may be used.
-Total dose is composed of 3 individually adjusted doses: the MORNING bolus dose, the CONTINUOUS maintenance dose, and EXTRA BOLUS doses.

Precaution & Warnings:
Duopa can cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, vomiting, ongoing constipation, fever, bloody or tarry stools, or problems around the tube through which this medicine is given (redness, warmth, swelling, oozing).

Prescription Information:
Proper doctor prescription is needed.
*Note: The prescription should not be older than 6 month.

Contraindication:
Using Duopa with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

metoclopramide;

mineral or vitamin supplements that contain iron;

blood pressure medicine; or

medicine to treat mood disorders or mental illness such as schizophrenia.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with carbidopa and levodopa, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.