Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa
PrescriptionBrand names: Vyalev
About This Medication
11 DESCRIPTION VYALEV injection is a solution that is a combination of foscarbidopa (carbidopa-4´-monophosphate) and foslevodopa (levodopa-4´-monophosphate). Foscarbidopa and foslevodopa are prodrugs that undergo enzymatic bioconversion via intrinsic alkaline phosphatase to carbidopa and levodopa, respectively, in vivo . Foscarbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white to light yellow powder, freely soluble in aqueous media, with a molecular weight of 306.21 g/mol anhydrous. It is designated chemically as (2 S )-2-hydrazinyl-3-[3-hydroxy-4-(phosphonooxy)phenyl]-2-methylpropanoic acid trihydrate. Its empirical formula is C 10 H 15 N 2 O 7 P (anhydrous basis), and its structural formula is: Foslevodopa, an aromatic amino acid, is a white to off-white powder, freely soluble in aqueous media, with a molecular weight of 277.17 g/mol. It is designated chemically as (2 S )-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-4-(phosphonooxy)phenyl] propanoic acid. Its empirical formula is C 9 H 12 NO 7 P, and its structural formula is: VYALEV (foscarbidopa and foslevodopa) injection is a sterile, preservative-free solution for subcutaneous infusion. VYALEV is supplied in a 10 mL single-dose glass vial that contains 120 mg foscarbidopa and 2,400 mg foslevodopa per 10 mL (12 mg foscarbidopa and 240 mg foslevodopa per mL). VYALEV may contain sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH to approximately 7.4. Foscarbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white to light yellow powder, freely soluble in aqueous media, with a molecular weight of 306.21 g/mol anhydrous. It is designated chemically as (2S)-2-hydrazinyl-3-[3-hydroxy-4-(phosphonooxy)phenyl]-2-methylpropanoic acid trihydrate. Its empirical formula is C10H15N2O7P (anhydrous basis), and its structural formula is: Foslevodopa, an aromatic amino acid, is a white to off-white powder, freely soluble in aqueous media, with a molecular weight of 277.17 g/mol. It is designated chemically as (2S)-2-amino-3-[3-hydroxy-4-(phosphonooxy)phenyl] propanoic acid. Its empirical formula is C9H12NO7P, and its structural formula is:
Active Ingredients
| Ingredient | Strength |
|---|---|
| Foscarbidopa | - |
| Foslevodopa | - |
Indications & Usage
How It Works
Dosage & Administration
Side Effects Overview
Warnings & Precautions
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS May cause falling asleep during activities of daily living. ( 5.1 ) Hallucinations/Psychosis: May respond to dose reduction of VYALEV. ( 5.2 ) Impulse Control Behaviors: Consider dose reductions or stopping VYALEV. ( 5.3 ) Infusion Site Reactions and Infections: Monitor for infusion site infections: Following aseptic techniques while using this medication and frequent rotation of the infusion site is recommended to reduce the risk. ( 5.4 ) Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction to reduce the risk of withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion. ( 5.5 ) May cause or exacerbate dyskinesia: Consider dose reduction of VYALEV. ( 5.6 ) 5.1 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence Patients treated with levodopa (the active metabolite of VYALEV) have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on levodopa, some perceived that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event (sleep attack). Some of these events have been reported more than one year after initiation of treatment. Falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in patients experiencing preexisting somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness while using VYALEV, especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment. Prescribers should be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Patients who have already experienced somnolence or an episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities while taking VYALEV. Before initiating treatment with VYALEV, advise patients about the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically ask about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with VYALEV such as the use of concomitant sedating medications or the presence of sleep disorders. Consider discontinuing VYALEV in patients who report significant daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating). If VYALEV is continued, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the patient becomes somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. 5.2 Hallucinations/Psychosis There is an increased risk for hallucinations and psychosis in patients taking VYALEV. In Study 1 [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )], hallucinations occurred in 12.2% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 1.5% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. Psychosis occurred in 4.1% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 1.5% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. Treatment with VYALEV was discontinued in 1 (1.4%) patient because of hallucinations. Hallucinations associated with levodopa may present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to dose reduction of VYALEV or other concomitantly administered medications. Confusion, insomnia, and excessive dreaming may accompany hallucinations. Abnormal thinking and behavior may present with one or more symptoms, including paranoid ideation, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, psychosis, disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, and delirium. Review of treatment is recommended if these symptoms develop. Because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis, patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with VYALEV. In addition, medications that antagonize the effects of dopamine used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of PD and may decrease the effectiveness of VYALEV [see Drug Interactions ( 7.3 ) ] . 5.3 Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors Patients may experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge or compulsive eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications, including VYALEV, that increase central dopaminergic tone and that are generally used for the treatment of PD. In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced, or the medication was discontinued. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to ask patients or their caregivers specifically about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, binge or compulsive eating, or other urges while being treated with VYALEV. Consider reducing the dose or discontinuing VYALEV if a patient develops such urges. 5.4 Infusion Site Reactions and Infections VYALEV can cause infusion site reactions and infections. In Study 1, one or more infusion site reactions were reported in 62% of patients treated with VYALEV and 8% of patients who received placebo subcutaneous infusion. Various types of reactions at the infusion site have been reported including: erythema, pain, edema, nodule, bruising, hemorrhage, induration, pruritus, extravasation, inflammation, mass, warmth, hematoma, pallor, rash, and swelling. In Study 1, 8% of patients treated with VYALEV and no patient who received placebo withdrew from treatment because of an infusion site reaction. In Study 1, infusion site infections occurred in 28% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 3% of patients who received placebo subcutaneous infusion. In Study 1, 5% of patients treated with VYALEV and 2% who received placebo withdrew from treatment because of an infusion site infection. The most frequent infusion site infection reported was cellulitis. If an infection is suspected at the infusion site, the cannula should be removed from the infusion site. If the cannula is removed for an infection, either a new canula should be placed at a new infusion site or, in the event of a prolonged interruption, the patient should be prescribed an oral carbidopa and levodopa product until they are able to resume VYALEV [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.3 , 2.4 )] . 5.5 Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion A symptom complex that resembles neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, and autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in dopaminergic therapy. Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction in patients taking VYALEV. If VYALEV is discontinued, the dose should be tapered to reduce the risk of hyperpyrexia and confusion [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 ) ] . 5.6 Dyskinesia VYALEV may cause or exacerbate dyskinesias. In Study 1, dyskinesia occurred in 11% of patients treated with VYALEV compared to 6% of patients treated with oral immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. The occurrence of dyskinesias may require a dosage reduction of VYALEV or other medications used to treat PD. 5.7 Cardiovascular Ischemic Events In clinical studies, myocardial infarction and arrhythmia were reported in patients taking carbidopa-levodopa (the active metabolites of VYALEV). Ask patients about symptoms of ischemic heart disease and arrhythmia, especially those with a history of myocardial infarction or cardiac arrhythmias. 5.8 Glaucoma Carbidopa-levodopa (the active metabolites of VYALEV) may cause increased intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. Monitor intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma after starting VYALEV.
Contraindications
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. Hypertension can occur if these drugs are used concurrently [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. ( 4 )
Pharmacokinetics
Frequently Asked Questions
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE VYALEV is indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). VYALEV is a combination of foscarbidopa (an aromatic amino acid decarboxylation inhibitor) and foslevodopa (an aromatic amino acid) indicated for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson’s disease. ( 1 )
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION For subcutaneous administration only, preferably in the abdomen, via the VYAFUSER pump. ( 2.1 , 2.2 , 2.3 ) See the Full Prescribing Information for calculation of the base continuous dosage, hourly infusion rate, optional loading dose, and extra dose. ( 2.2 ) The maximum recommended daily dosage of VYALEV is 3,525 mg of foslevodopa (approximately 2,500 mg levodopa). ( 2.2 ) 2.1 Important Information For subcutaneous administration only. Patients selected for treatment with VYALEV should …
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS May cause falling asleep during activities of daily living. ( 5.1 ) Hallucinations/Psychosis: May respond to dose reduction of VYALEV. ( 5.2 ) Impulse Control Behaviors: Consider dose reductions or stopping VYALEV. ( 5.3 ) Infusion Site Reactions and Infections: Monitor for infusion site infections: Following aseptic techniques while using this medication and frequent rotation of the infusion site is recommended to reduce the risk. ( 5.4 ) Avoid sudden discontinuation or rapid dose reduction to …
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a non-selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. Hypertension can occur if these drugs are used concurrently [see Drug Interactions ( 7.1 )] . VYALEV is contraindicated in patients who are currently taking a nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or have recently (within 2 weeks) taken a nonselective MAO inhibitor. ( 4 )
Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa is a prescription medication. You will need a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare provider.
Similar Injection Products
Browse all Injection products →References & Data Sources
- • DailyMed — Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa drug label (National Library of Medicine)
- • openFDA — Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa label data (U.S. Food & Drug Administration)
- • RxNorm — RXCUI 2695782 (NLM Normalized Drug Names)
- • NDC Directory — Foscarbidopa/Foslevodopa (FDA National Drug Code)
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Data sources: DailyMed (NLM), openFDA, MFDS