Parkinson’s disease is caused by dopamine deficiency and is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that can significantly alter your life. The disease is characterized by tremors, rigidity, balance instability, and slowness of movement, along with non-motor symptoms. While there are a few treatment options available, Prevea Health is the only in the area to offer a new, state-of-the-art treatment for Parkinson’s disease called Duopa.
Duopa is a prescription medicine used to treat motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease. It contains two medicines: carbidopa and levodopa. Duopa is not a pill, but rather a suspension form of carbidopa and levodopa. It is delivered continuously via a surgically implanted pump and tube that is directly connected to the intestine for up to 16 hours.
“It gives me a whole new life. I was pretty much wheelchair bound before and I couldn’t use my hands or legs. Now, I can walk, help people and do other activities when I’m “on”. I’m so happy!”
- Debra Drath, Shiocton, WI
Why Duopa?
Due to the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, patients with advanced Parkinson’s may begin to have “off” episodes. This “off” time is characterized by rigidity, stiffness, slowness of movement and poor mobility.
Duopa was studied in a group of patients who were regularly having at least three hours of “off” time per day, even while taking oral carbidopa/levodopa immediate release tablets. The study lasted 12 weeks and, when it was completed, it found that patients on Duopa had four more hours of “on” time — time without involuntary movements —at the end of the study, compared with two more hours of “on” time for patients who took oral carbidopa/levodopa immediate release.