Even one OFF period is one too many

Many people with Parkinson’s experience symptom return (OFF periods)—and even one OFF period can really
disrupt things. Even when you take your Parkinson's medication regularly, symptoms can still return.

Symptoms that return can include motor symptoms (related to movement) or nonmotor symptoms* (unrelated to movement).

  • Motor symptoms may include tremor (shaking), problems with balance, or stiffness
  • Nonmotor symptoms may include anxiety, mood changes, or
    difficulty thinking
*INBRIJA was not studied for nonmotor symptoms.
An illustrated figure sits on a bench. Lines are drawn around their hand to depict a tremor caused by Parkinson's.An illustrated figure sits on a bench. Lines are drawn around their hand to depict a tremor caused by Parkinson's.

SYMPTOM RETURN IS FAIRLY COMMON

~70% of participants said they experienced at least 2 OFF periods a day in an online survey of more than 3000 people conducted by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

About 40% of the approximately 1 million people in the United States living with PD will experience the return of symptoms between regular doses of medication.

There are many reasons why a person might have an OFF period.

An illustrated image of a pill bottle
Symptoms may return even though you have taken your medication as directed
  • The effect of your regular medication may wear off prior to your scheduled dose or
    it may take longer than usual for your regular baseline medication to have an effect
    after taking a dose.
  • That's why Parkinson's medications may need to be added/adjusted over time
Parkinson's can change the way PD medicine gets into your system and so can what you eat
  • Parkinson's can slow the movement of food and pills through the gut
  • Meals, especially foods high in protein, can interfere with oral levodopa getting from your
    gut to your brain
  • There are other factors that can lower the amount of oral levodopa that enters your bloodstream and brain
An illustrated image of the stomach and intestines
An illustrated person experiencing hand tremors
People with Parkinson's report many ways that symptom return alters their lives
  • This can include difficulty getting around due to poor balance or freezing of gait or avoiding being seen in public due to tremor or slowness
Start taking control of symptom return

talk to your doctor

I've always been very open with my doctors and I'm very familiar with the symptoms, so I was able to let her know that I thought I was starting to turn OFF and I told her that I just can't move forward or get up out of chairs too well. Is there anything that can help?

—Stephanie, person with Parkinson's
Indication

INBRIJA is a prescription medicine used when needed for OFF episodes in adults with Parkinson's treated with regular carbidopa/levodopa medicine. INBRIJA does not replace regular carbidopa/levodopa medicine.

Important Safety Information

Do not use INBRIJA if you take or have taken a nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as phenelzine or tranylcypromine within the last 2 weeks.

Before using INBRIJA, tell your healthcare provider about your medical conditions, including:

  • asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or any chronic lung disease
  • daytime sleepiness, sleep disorders, sleepiness/drowsiness without warning, or use of medicine that increases sleepiness, including antidepressants or antipsychotics
  • dizziness, nausea, sweating, or fainting when standing up
  • abnormal movement (dyskinesia)
  • mental health problems such as hallucinations or psychosis
  • uncontrollable urges like gambling, sexual urges, spending money, or binge eating
  • glaucoma
  • pregnancy or plans to become pregnant. It is unknown if INBRIJA will harm an unborn baby.
  • breastfeeding or plans to breastfeed. Levodopa can pass into breastmilk and it is unknown if it can harm the baby.

Tell your healthcare provider if you take:

  • MAO-B inhibitors
  • dopamine (D2) antagonists (including phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone, metoclopramide)
  • isoniazid
  • iron salts or multivitamins that contain iron salts

Do not drive, operate machinery, or do other activities until you know how INBRIJA affects you. Sleepiness and falling asleep suddenly can happen as late as a year after treatment is started.

Tell your healthcare provider if you experience the following side effects:

  • falling asleep during normal daily activities with or without warning. If you become drowsy, do not drive or do activities where you need to be alert. Chances of falling asleep during normal activities increases if you take medicine that cause sleepiness.
  • withdrawal-emergent hyperpyrexia and confusion (fever, stiff muscles, or changes in breathing and heartbeat) if you suddenly stop using INBRIJA or carbidopa/levodopa, or suddenly lower your dose of carbidopa/levodopa.
  • low blood pressure when standing up (that may be with dizziness, fainting, nausea, and sweating). Get up slowly after sitting/lying down.
  • hallucinations and other psychosis - INBRIJA may cause or worsen seeing/hearing/believing things that are not real; confusion, disorientation, or disorganized thinking; trouble sleeping; dreaming a lot; being overly suspicious or feeling people want to harm you; acting aggressive; and feeling agitated/restless.
  • unusual uncontrollable urges such as gambling, binge eating, shopping, and sexual urges has occurred in some people using medicine like INBRIJA.
  • uncontrolled, sudden body movements (dyskinesia) may be caused or worsened by INBRIJA. INBRIJA may need to be stopped or other Parkinson's medicines may need to be changed.
  • bronchospasm - people with asthma, COPD, or other lung diseases may wheeze or have difficulty breathing after inhaling INBRIJA. If this occurs, stop taking INBRIJA and seek immediate medical attention.
  • increased eye pressure in patients with glaucoma. Your healthcare provider should monitor this.
  • changes in certain lab values including liver tests

The most common side effects of INBRIJA are cough, upper respiratory tract infection, nausea, and change in the color of saliva or spit.

Do not orally inhale more than 1 dose (2 capsules) for any OFF period. Do not take more than 5 doses (10 capsules) in a day.

INBRIJA® Indication

Treats OFF periods in adults taking carbidopa/levodopa (CD/LD). INBRIJA doesn't replace CD/LD.

Important Safety Information

Don't use if you have taken a nonselective monoamine oxidase inhibitor (eg, phenelzine, tranylcypromine) within the last 2 weeks.

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