Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not use it more often or longer than your doctor ordered.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Duopa® comes in a small, plastic container called cassette. This medicine is given continuously for 16 hours through a tube that is put into your stomach called a PEG-J. A small portable pump (CADD-Legacy 1400) is used to move Duopa® from the cassette through your PEG-J tube. It may also be given for a short time using a tube through your nose called a naso-jejunal (NJ) tube. Your doctor will show you how to use Duopa® and the portable pump before you use it for the first time.

Before using this medicine, your doctor will need to have a procedure to make a small hole in your stomach to place the PEG-J tube. Your doctor will need to ask you if you have had stomach surgery or problems with your stomach before starting this medicine.

Your prescribed dose of Duopa® will be programmed into your pump by your doctor. Your Duopa® dose should only be changed by your doctor.

Keep a supply of carbidopa-levodopa immediate release tablets in case you are not able to get your Duopa® infusion. You will also need these tablets for your prescribed night-time dose after receiving your Duopa® dose.

Since protein may interfere with the body's response to carbidopa and levodopa, high protein diets should be avoided. Intake of normal amounts of protein should be spaced equally throughout the day, or taken as directed by your doctor.

If you are taking multivitamin tablets or plan to start taking them, discuss this first with your doctor. Iron salts (in vitamins) may keep this medicine from working properly.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For enteral dosage form (suspension):
    • Parkinson's disease:
      • Adults—Dose must be determined by your doctor. The dose is usually not more than 2000 milligrams of levodopa (one cassette) given over 16 hours.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

This medicine needs to be given on a fixed schedule. If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Storage

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Store Duopa® cassette in the refrigerator. Protect it from light. Keep it in the carton before using. When you remove Duopa® cassette from the refrigerator, it should be used within 16 hours. Do not freeze.