FAQs about Duopa

Category: Duopa

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Duopa in January 2015 for the treatment of motor fluctuations in people with advanced Parkinson’s disease. That FDA approval made Duopa the first treatment in the U.S. providing 16 continuous hours of carbidopa and levodopa for motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s patients.

Category: Duopa

While animal studies suggest Duopa may cause harm to a developing fetus, the therapy has not been well studied in pregnant women. Patients who become or intend to become pregnant should always talk to their healthcare providers about the potential risks and benefits of taking Duopa during pregnancy.

Category: Duopa

Some patients on Duopa have reported sleepiness and suddenly falling asleep without warning during daily activities. Individuals starting treatment with Duopa should not drive and should avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm until they know how the medication affects them. If patients experience increased sleepiness or fall asleep without warning while taking this medication, they are advised to contact their healthcare team.

Category: Duopa

In the trials that supported Duopa’s approval, participants began seeing improvements as soon as two weeks after starting on the therapy. These advanced Parkinson’s disease patients experienced a reduction in off periods and improvements in other measures that became significantly more pronounced than with control medications. However, as each person is unique and responds differently to medications, patients are advised to discuss with their doctor how the therapy can help in their individual case.

Category: Duopa

There have been some reports of weight gain in people receiving Duopa, possibly due to the therapy’s potential to cause impulse control disorders, including compulsive eating. Hair loss also may occur with Duopa, although much less frequently. Those who experience any unanticipated effects of treatment should discuss them with their healthcare team.