Duopa side effects: What you should know

Duopa can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Duopa in clinical trials:

• depression
• constipation
• skin redness or discoloration at the stoma site (a small hole made in the stomach)
• nausea*
• abdominal pain*

_{* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.}

Mild side effects can occur with Duopa use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Duopa’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Duopa include:

• depression
• skin redness or discoloration at the stoma site (a small hole made in the stomach)
• sore throat
• upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold
• high blood pressure
• peripheral edema (swelling in legs and feet)
• glaucoma
• constipation
• nausea*
• abdominal pain*
• mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews the side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking Duopa and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Duopa. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Duopa may cause serious side effects. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Duopa’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Duopa, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden decrease in blood pressure when changing positions). Symptoms can include:
  • lightheadedness
  • blurred vision
  • falling
• Dyskinesia (uncontrollable and sudden body movements). Symptoms can include:
  • head bobbing
  • rocking or swaying
  • fidgeting
• Heart problems, including heart attack or atypical heart rhythm. Symptoms can include:
  • shortness of breath
  • chest pain
  • feeling of fluttering or racing heart
• Depression or suicidal thoughts. Symptoms can include:
  • fatigue
  • changes in sleep
  • loss of interest in activities or hobbies that one typically enjoys
  • thoughts of dying
• Psychosis or hallucinations.
• Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that can cause pain, numbness, and tingling in hands and feet).
• Gastrointestinal problems.*
• Sleepiness or falling asleep during daily activities.*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Duopa. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Duopa may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Duopa.

Gastrointestinal problems

Gastrointestinal problems are a common side effect of Duopa reported in clinical trials. This includes side effects caused by the drug and problems due to the procedure needed to create the stoma. A stoma is a small hole made in your stomach. The drug is given through the stoma directly into your intestine. Symptoms of gastrointestinal problems can include:

• nausea and vomiting
• abdominal pain
• black or tarry stools
• pain, bleeding, or swelling at the stoma site

What you can do

Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of gastrointestinal problems. Some stomach issues can become serious, need surgery, or, in rare cases, can be fatal. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms to determine the best treatment for you.

Sleepiness

Duopa can cause extreme sleepiness or drowsiness, which can occur at any time of day. Sleepiness can sometimes include falling asleep during usual daytime activities, such as talking, eating, or driving. Sleepiness and drowsiness were common side effects reported in clinical trials.

What you can do

Make sure to tell your doctor all the medications you are taking before starting therapy with Duopa. Some medications can increase your risk of this side effect.

You should not drive a car, operate heavy machinery, or engage in other potentially dangerous activities until you know how Duopa affects you. If you have sleepiness that happens more frequently or have episodes of falling asleep during your usual activities, talk with your doctor.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Duopa can cause an allergic reaction in some people. However, this side effect wasn’t reported in clinical trials.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep taking Duopa. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Duopa. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Depression or thoughts of suicide: Tell your doctor if you’ve had depression or thoughts of suicide in the past. Duopa can cause depression or thoughts of suicide, and treatment with the drug may increase your risk of these side effects. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking Duopa.

Gastrointestinal problems: To receive Duopa, you will need a stoma (a small hole made in your stomach). If you have a history of ulcers or other gastrointestinal problems, the stoma procedure needed for Duopa use can increase your risk of these problems. Talk with your doctor to see if Duopa is a good treatment option for you.

Glaucoma: If you have glaucoma, using Duopa can worsen your condition. This is because Duopa can increase the pressure in your eye. Tell your doctor if you have glaucoma. They will want to monitor your eye pressure during treatment with Duopa.

Heart problems: There have been reports of people having heart problems, such as heart attack or atypical heart rhythm, during treatment with Duopa. Tell your doctor if you have heart problems or have had them in the past. They may recommend a different treatment option for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known if treatment with Duopa is safe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Please talk with your doctor before taking Duopa if you’re pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of side effects of Duopa, such as dizziness, drowsiness, or low blood pressure. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol while using Duopa. They can advise you whether it’s safe for you to drink alcohol while receiving treatment with Duopa.

Like most medications, Duopa can cause both mild and serious side effects. The most common side effect was complications with the procedure needed to create the stoma. Talk with your doctor if you develop side effects that don’t go away, are bothersome, or are serious.

If you’d like to learn more about Duopa, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from taking the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Duopa: For details about other aspects of Duopa, refer to this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Duopa, view this article.
• A look at your condition: For details about Parkinson’s disease (PD), see our PD hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.