Considerations for Initiation and Maintenance of Foslevodopa/Foscarbidopa for Advanced Parkinson's Disease

Abstract

Background: As Parkinson's disease (PD) progresses, motor fluctuations become increasingly difficult to manage with oral medications. Foslevodopa/foscarbidopa (LDp/CDp), delivered as a continuous 24-h/day subcutaneous infusion, offers continuous levodopa delivery and stable plasma levodopa levels that reduce motor fluctuations. LDp/CDp has been widely utilized since becoming commercially available. Objectives: To provide practical guidance for clinicians on the real-world use of LDp/CDp, including information on patient selection, treatment initiation, dose adjustments, and long-term management. Methods: This narrative review included investigator experience from studies of LDp/CDp and insights from clinicians with real-world experience with LDp/CDp, addressing many critical questions that clinicians may have when initiating and managing patients on therapy. Results: Continuous 24-h infusion enables consistent, individualized symptom control, with improvements in motor fluctuations and quality of life. LDp/CDp therapy can be initiated, adjusted, and maintained in outpatient settings without hospitalization. While infusion site events are common, they are typically mild to moderate and manageable. Early detection and intervention are important for managing infusion site events. Systemic adverse events associated with dopaminergic therapies (eg, psychosis, hallucinations, nightmares), may require infusion rate adjustment, particularly at night. Setting clear expectations is key to successful therapy adoption and maintenance. It is essential to educate patients, care partners, and clinical teams. Conclusions: LDp/CDp is a new treatment option for advanced PD (aPD). Treatment success depends on education, selecting appropriate patients, setting patient expectations, implementing individualized dosing strategies, and managing adverse effects.