Introduction to Foscarbidopa/Foscarbidopa for Injection

Foscarbidopa/foslevodopa for injection (foscarbidopa/foslevodopa) is a drug used to treat fluctuating motor symptoms in adults with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

Foscarbidopa/Foscarbidopa is an innovative levodopa therapy administered by continuous infusion via a subcutaneous pump. After entering the body, foscarbidopa is converted into carbidopa and foscarbidopa is converted into levodopa. Carbidopa is a peripheral dopa decarboxylase inhibitor that can inhibit the peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa, reduce the peripheral metabolism of levodopa, and thereby increase the amount of levodopa entering the brain. Levodopa decarboxylates in the brain to generate dopamine, which supplements the lack of dopamine in the brain of patients with Parkinson's disease, thereby alleviating fluctuations in motor symptoms. For subcutaneous administration only, preferably abdominal administration, via the VYAFUSER pump. The continuous infusion rate is based on the total dose of levodopa (TLD). Basic continuous infusion rate per hour (mL/HR)=[(TLD×1.3 )/240]/[The number of hours the patient is usually awake (e.g. 16 hours)]. The maximum recommended daily dose is 3,525mg of the phosphorus levodopa component (equivalent to approximately 2,500mg of levodopa).

If treatment is initiated in the "off" state, or the patient has not received a basal continuous infusion for more than 3 hours, a loading dose may be given immediately before starting or restarting the basal continuous hourly infusion. Extra dose capacity can be set to one of 5 options, up to 1 extra dose per hour.

Contraindicated in patients who are currently taking non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or who have recently (2 weeks) taken non-selective MAO inhibitors. Discontinuation of this product should be considered if drowsiness and somnolence occur, especially in patients who fall asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., talking, eating). Patients using this product are at increased risk of hallucinations and psychosis and should not be used by patients with severe psychosis. Patients may experience impulse control behaviors, such as strong urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, etc., and should consider dose reduction or discontinuation.

Reference materials:https://www.vyalev.com/