Duopa
(carbidopa / levodopa)
Treats advanced stages of Parkinson's disease.
Our bottom line
Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) pumps carbidopa/levodopa into your body throughout the day. It is reserved for advanced Parkinson's disease when your symptoms become more frequent than the dosing of your tablets.
- Drug class: Neuro/psych
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Upsides
- Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) allows you to have better control of your symptoms than oral tablets, especially in later stages of Parkinson's disease.
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What to expect from Duopa, on one page
Downsides
- Given via pump so you'll need to have a procedure to attach the pump to your body.
- You'll need to take good care of the pump so that it doesn't get disconnected or infected.
- Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) only lasts for 16 hours. You may need to take an extra dose of carbidopa/levodopa as tablet for nighttime control.
- You need to keep Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) in a fridge, but it should sit at room temperature 20 minutes before infusion.
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What to expect from Duopa, on one page
Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) is a combination of carbidopa and levodopa. Carbidopa allows levodopa to enter the brain and relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
- Drug class: Neuro/psych
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: No lower cost generic available
Used for
Dosage forms
- Liquid
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$16.20
- Get free coupon$16.66
What to expect when you take Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's disease
Skip what to expect section. Skip to side effects section.- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Effectiveness
- Starts to kick inFull effects
- First few hoursHoursFirst few daysDaysFirst few weeksWeeksFirst few monthsMonths
- Possible side effects
- Problems with J-tube
- Redness and swelling at the J-tube site
- Difficulty controlling impulses
- Nausea
- Difficulty controlling movement
- Sleeping suddenly during the day
Side effect rates for Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)
- Problems with J-tube56%56%
- Nausea30%30%
- Constipation22%22%
- Redness and swelling at the J-tube site19%19%
- Difficulty controlling movements14%14%
- Depression11%11%
- Discharge at the J-tube site11%11%
- Swelling in the arms and legs8%8%
- High blood pressure8%8%
- Flu and cold8%8%
- Sore throat8%8%
- Collapsed lung8%8%
- Confusion8%8%
- Anxiety8%8%
- Dizziness8%8%
- Hiatal hernia8%8%
- Intestinal blockage5%5%
- Sleep problems5%5%
- Fever5%5%
- Scar tissue5%5%
- Rash5%5%
- Urinary tract infection5%5%
- Hallucinations5%5%
- Psychotic disorder5%5%
- Diarrhea5%5%
- Indigestion5%5%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Duopa.
People taking Duopa felt side effect more
People taking Duopa felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Surgery to place the J-tube
Because Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) is given through a pump connected to your stomach, you may have problems with the attachment. Call your doctor right away if you have abdominal pain, constipation for more than a few days, nausea, vomiting, fever or blood in your stool.
Common concerns from people taking Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals found harmful effects on unborn babies. It hasn’t been properly studied in humans. The benefits might outweigh the risks even if you’re pregnant. Talk with your doctor.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Call your doctor right away if you start having stomach pains around where the pump is connected.
- Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) can make you very sleepy. Don't drive or do anything that requires your full concentration until you know how Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) affects you. You're more at risk if you're taking other medicines for Parkinson's. Talk to your doctor if this bothers you.
- Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) can make you very sleepy. Don't drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how it affects you.