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).
Before taking this medicine
Do not use Duopa if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.
To make sure Duopa is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
a stomach ulcer or stomach surgery;
low blood pressure, or fainting spells;
heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart attack;
problems falling asleep suddenly during the day;
problems with muscle movement;
depression or mental illness;
glaucoma; or
nerve problems that cause numbness or tingling in your hands or feet.
People with Parkinson's disease may have a higher risk of skin cancer (melanoma). Ask your doctor about skin symptoms to watch for.
It is not known if Duopa will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Duopa can slow breast milk production. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Duopa is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I use Duopa?
Use Duopa exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor will occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do not use Duopa in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
You will need a surgical procedure to create your stoma. A special tube called a "PEG-J" tube, will be placed through the stoma and into your small intestine. This tube is attached to an infusion pump that will deliver Duopa into your body.
Duopa comes in a plastic cassette that is attached to the infusion pump. Your care provider will program the pump and show you how to use it. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Duopa is infused over a 16-hour period to help keep a steady amount of the drug in your body at all times. The infusion pump also allows extra doses if needed to reduce "off time" symptoms.
After the 16 hours, you may disconnect the pump and take a night-time dose of oral carbidopa and levodopa tablets. You may also need to take the oral medicine if your pump is disconnected during the day for longer than 2 hours.
Your stoma and tube will need special care and cleaning. You must watch for signs of infection (redness, warmth, swelling). You must also keep the tube from getting kinked to assure that the medicine flows freely through it.
Do not stop using Duopa or change your dose without your doctor's advice.
This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Duopa.
Each single-use Duopa cassette is for one 16-hour use. Throw away after one use.
Store cassettes in their original carton in the refrigerator, do not freeze.
Take a Duopa cassette out of the refrigerator 20 minutes before using it, to allow it to reach room temperature. Protect the cassette from light. Do not use the cold cassette right after taking it out of the refrigerator.
What happens if I miss a dose?
You may need to use extra medicine to make up a missed dose. Call your doctor for instructions if you stop your infusion or disconnect your pump for longer than 2 hours.
Get your Duopa prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
