Duopa

(carbidopa / levodopa)

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Treats advanced stages of Parkinson's disease.

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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.

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Quick facts about Duopa
  • 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

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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

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How it works

Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) is a combination of carbidopa and levodopa. Carbidopa allows levodopa to enter the brain and relieve symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Quick facts about Duopa
  • Drug class: Neuro/psych
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: No lower cost generic available

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Liquid
Tried Duopa? Write a review!

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa) for Parkinson's disease

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First 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
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Side effect rates for Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)

From 37 clinical trials of Duopa when taken for parkinson's disease
  • Problems with J-tube
    56%56%
  • Nausea
    30%30%
  • Constipation
    22%22%
  • Redness and swelling at the J-tube site
    19%19%
  • Difficulty controlling movements
    14%14%
  • Depression
    11%11%
  • Discharge at the J-tube site
    11%11%
  • Swelling in the arms and legs
    8%8%
  • High blood pressure
    8%8%
  • Flu and cold
    8%8%
  • Sore throat
    8%8%
  • Collapsed lung
    8%8%
  • Confusion
    8%8%
  • Anxiety
    8%8%
  • Dizziness
    8%8%
  • Hiatal hernia
    8%8%
  • Intestinal blockage
    5%5%
  • Sleep problems
    5%5%
  • Fever
    5%5%
  • Scar tissue
    5%5%
  • Rash
    5%5%
  • Urinary tract infection
    5%5%
  • Hallucinations
    5%5%
  • Psychotic disorder
    5%5%
  • Diarrhea
    5%5%
  • Indigestion
    5%5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Duopa.

Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)
Placebo

People taking Duopa felt side effect more

People taking Duopa felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Duopa (carbidopa / levodopa)

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    • 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)

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Pregnancy

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.

See the FDA package insertSee pregnancy safe medications
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.
FDA pregnancy category for Duopa
CWeigh risks vs. benefits
Pain
  • Call your doctor right away if you start having stomach pains around where the pump is connected.
Sleep
  • 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.