Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet

Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet is a precursor of dopamine (chemical messenger in the brain) primarily used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with its symptoms including tremors, spasms, muscle stiffness, and poor muscle control. Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement and locomotion, which causes stiffness, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance. In Parkinson's patients, there are low dopamine levels as the nerve cells of the brain (neurons) that produce dopamine begin to die.

Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet contains 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa belongs to the central nervous system agents, while Carbidopa is a decarboxylase inhibitor. The medicinal component Levodopa changes into dopamine in the brain and helps to control movement. Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can reach to brain.

Take Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet as prescribed by your doctor. You are suggested to take $ame as long as your doctor has prescribed it after checking your medical condition. The most common side effects of Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, light-headedness, lowered blood pressure, confusion, and dyskinesia (uncontrolled/involuntary muscle movement). Most of these side effects of Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. Levodopa must be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor. If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, involuntary muscle movements, intense urges like gambling, spending money, overeating, or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet.

Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet is an antiparkinson agent that is used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet is a combination of two medicines, namely 'Levodopa' and 'Carbidopa'. Levodopa belongs to the class of medications named central nervous system agents, while carbidopa falls under decarboxylase inhibitors. The medicinal component Levodopa changes into dopamine in the brain and helps to control movement. At the same time, Carbidopa acts by preventing the breakdown of Levodopa in the bloodstream so that more Levodopa can effectively reach the brain to block acetylcholine (a chemical messenger in the brain). 

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Confusion

• Loss of appetite

• Light-headedness

• Lowered blood pressure

• Dyskinesia (uncontrolled/involuntary muscle movement)

Tell your doctor, if you have any medical history of diabetes, heart attacks, mental illness, stomach ulcers, heart disease, or recently gone through a surgical procedure. After taking Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet, one can feel lightheadedness, so it is advised to avoid any work that needs mental alertness. Patients taking Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet can also have a low level of vitamin B12, increased methylmalonic acid levels. Besides this, a prolonged intake of Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet may lead to greater neuropathy chances (nerve damage). Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet should be given with caution in patients with eye problems (narrow-angle glaucoma), irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), gastrointestinal bleeding, and psychosis. The use of Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet is restricted if a person takes monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOs) or antidepressant drugs like isocarboxazid, phenelzine, selegiline, and tranylcypromine because it can lead to high blood pressure (hypertension) crisis.

Drug-Drug Interaction: Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet may have interaction with other antiparkinson’s drugs (rasagiline, pramipexole), water pills or diuretics (furosemide), high cholesterol-lowering drugs (atorvastatin), vitamins (pyridoxine), and antipsychotic drugs (quetiapine).

Drug-Food Interaction: Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet may interact with proteins in the food. Therefore, avoid intake of high protein food such as chicken, beef, pork, eggs, and fish as they may reduce the effectiveness of Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet. Do not take vitamin supplements with Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet unless prescribed by a doctor. Also, avoid alcohol intake as it may increase side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, or difficulty in concentrating.

Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have glaucoma, asthma, nausea, dizziness, mental illness, breathing problems, daytime sleepiness, or involuntary muscle movements, inform your doctor before taking Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet.

• RASAGILINE
• PRAMIPEXOLE
• ATORVASTATIN
• PYRIDOXINE (VITB6)
• FUROSEMIDE
• QUETIAPINE

• Drink plenty of water to avoid headaches due to dehydration. 

• Limit the consumption of sugar-containing food or food with too many calories but fewer nutrients as it may cause tooth decay.

• Engage in physical activity like dancing or exercising, which will boost the metabolism and make a person more energetic.

• Avoid intake of alcoholic beverages with Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet as it can make a person dehydrated and may affect their sleep. This can make it harder for a person’s body to aid the Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet in fighting off infections.

• It is suggested to take a light meal and avoid high protein foods.

• Do not exceed more than 1 dose (2 capsules) for any off period (recurring symptoms in between regular doses).

• If you have unusual urges like gambling, spending money, overeating or increased sexual urges, please inform your doctor before taking Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet.

• Levodopa must be discontinued at least 12 hours before starting Duodopa 250mg/25mg Tablet.

• Take this medication separately by as many hours as required from any iron supplements or products that are rich in iron. Intake of iron can reduce the absorption of the medication.

Parkinson's disease: It is a disorder of the central nervous system that affects movement due to damage of nerve cells in the brain, which reduces the levels of dopamine and leads to symptoms such as stiffness, tremors in one hand, shaking, difficulty in walking, coordination, and balance. If proper treatment is not provided at the right time, then symptoms may worsen with time. This condition can last for many years or a lifetime. The symptoms of Parkinson's include- tremors in hands, reduced feeling of coordination and balance of the body, change in posture, tremors in voice, sense of smell, and sleeping problems. Other common signs and symptoms include constipation, skin problems, sleep disorders, and trouble chewing, and swallowing. Usually, most people misunderstand the early signs of Parkinson's disease as normal signs of ageing, and they do not seek medical help. However, treatment at the early stage of this disease is more effective and helpful.