foscarbidopa + foslevodopa at a glance
Medicine class
Levodopa prodrug combined with a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor prodrug.
Usual role
Advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease with severe motor fluctuations and hyperkinesia or dyskinesia.
Administration
Continuous subcutaneous infusion through a cannula connected to a portable pump.
Training
The user or caregiver must be trained to prepare the infusion and operate the delivery system safely.
What is foscarbidopa + foslevodopa used for?
Licensed for:
Advanced levodopa-responsive Parkinson’s disease with severe motor fluctuations and hyperkinesia or dyskinesia when available combinations of Parkinson’s medicines have not provided satisfactory control.
How does foscarbidopa + foslevodopa work?
The body converts foslevodopa and foscarbidopa into levodopa and carbidopa. Levodopa enters the brain and becomes dopamine, helping movement signals. Carbidopa limits levodopa’s conversion outside the brain, leaving more available to reach it. Continuous infusion aims to maintain steadier levodopa exposure and reduce troublesome changes between “On” and “Off” periods.
foscarbidopa + foslevodopa preparations and strengths
Solution for infusion
Route: Intravenous
Strengths: 240 mg/mL + 12 mg/mL
How to take foscarbidopa + foslevodopa
Use only after training and follow the pump and infusion-set instructions supplied by the specialist team.
Infuse under the skin, usually into the abdomen, avoiding the area immediately around the navel.
Use clean aseptic technique and rotate infusion sites regularly.
Do not insert the cannula into tender, bruised, red, hard, scarred or irritated skin.
Use only the specified pump and compatible single-use components.
Allow refrigerated solution to reach room temperature naturally; do not use hot water, a microwave or another heat source.
Do not dilute the solution or mix it with another medicine.
foscarbidopa + foslevodopa side effects
Common or expected effects
- Infusion-site redness, lumps, swelling, pain or infection
- Hallucinations, anxiety or depression
- Falls, dizziness, sleepiness or fainting
- Involuntary movements
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, constipation or diarrhoea
- Low blood pressure on standing
- Reduced appetite or weight change
Get urgent medical advice
- Severe allergic reaction
- Acute angle-closure glaucoma symptoms
- Serious infusion-site infection, abscess or sepsis
- Fever, severe stiffness and altered consciousness after abrupt withdrawal
- New suicidal thoughts, severe confusion or psychosis
- Sudden sleep episodes during potentially dangerous activities
- New compulsive gambling, spending, eating or sexual behaviour
- Progressive numbness, pain or weakness suggesting polyneuropathy
foscarbidopa + foslevodopa in pregnancy
There are no pregnancy data for this product. It is not recommended during pregnancy, or where pregnancy is possible without contraception, unless a specialist judges that maternal benefit outweighs possible fetal risk. Preconception or pregnancy review should involve the Parkinson’s specialist and obstetric team.
foscarbidopa + foslevodopa while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding should be discontinued during treatment. Levodopa and possibly its metabolites enter human milk, may suppress milk production, and their effects on a breastfed infant are uncertain.
foscarbidopa + foslevodopa interactions
A full medicines review is required. Important examples include:
Non-selective MAO inhibitors and selective MAO-A inhibitors
Contraindicated because of the risk of serious reactions, including severe blood-pressure changes.
MAO-B inhibitors such as selegiline
May increase dopaminergic effects and contribute to serious postural hypotension.
Antihypertensives
May worsen dizziness or low blood pressure on standing.
Common questions about foscarbidopa + foslevodopa
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does it cure Parkinson’s disease?
No. It controls movement symptoms and fluctuations; current Parkinson’s treatments do not cure the underlying condition.
What should I do if the pump stops?
Check the pump and infusion system using your training materials and contact the specialist team if the cause is unclear or symptoms worsen. Do not change pump settings without following the agreed plan.
Can it cause skin infections?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.