Duocal High-Energy Medical Food Product And Sample Information

Duocal is a specialized medical food product designed to provide additional calories to the diet without altering taste or texture. This article provides factual information about Duocal, its uses, and sample availability based on verified sources.

Product Overview

Duocal is a high-energy, protein-free medical food powder that can be added to foods and beverages to increase calorie intake. According to the product information, it is specially formulated for the dietary management of various conditions where additional calories are needed without adding protein, vitamins, or minerals.

The product contains a unique dual energy source of carbohydrate and fat, making it suitable for individuals who need extra calories to support weight gain and catch-up growth. Duocal is flavorless and appropriate for both oral and tube feeding methods.

Key Product Features

• High calorie powder that mixes easily in liquids and soft foods
• Protein-free formulation
• Dairy-free and made in a dairy protein-free facility
• No artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, or preservatives
• Kosher Pareve and Halal certified
• Not nutritionally complete (must be added to other foods or formulas)

Indications for Use

Duocal is designed for the dietary management of conditions including: - High-energy, low-fluid, low-electrolyte diets - Protein-restricted diets - Disorders of protein and amino acid metabolism - Malabsorptive states - Modular diets - Catabolic states (such as burns, trauma, post-operative stress)

Nutritional Composition

Duocal provides approximately 466 calories per 100 grams of powder. The product contains no protein, vitamins, or minerals, focusing instead on delivering energy through carbohydrates and fats. The MCT (Medium Chain Triglycerides) to LCT (Long Chain Triglycerides) ratio is 34:66.

Important Considerations

As a specially formulated medical food, Duocal should only be used under medical supervision. The product documentation emphasizes the importance of consulting with a healthcare professional before making any changes to a child's diet. This is particularly important because Duocal is not nutritionally complete and must be properly incorporated into a complete dietary plan.

Sample Availability

According to the provided sources, Neocate products (which may include Duocal) are available to healthcare professionals for sampling. Healthcare professionals can contact their Nutricia sales representative to request samples to be sent free of charge to their practice. However, there is no specific information available about consumer or patient sample requests for Duocal.

Reimbursement Resources

The manufacturer provides resources and information to help patients find reimbursement for medical foods and exempt infant formulas. The sources indicate that reimbursement codes have been submitted to US data warehouses, though these are not NDC numbers.

WIC Eligibility

Neocate products, including potentially Duocal, are WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) eligible in all states. WIC is a supplemental nutrition program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. However, each state WIC agency determines its own allowed formula list, so availability may vary by location. Patients are advised to contact their State WIC office to determine the availability of specific Nutricia products in their area.

Product Usage Instructions

The powder form of Duocal allows for flexible incorporation into various foods and beverages. Since it is flavorless and neutral-tasting, it does not alter the taste or texture of foods when properly mixed. The documentation suggests using level, unpacked scoops (approximately 4.7 grams per scoop) to measure the product.

Conclusion

Duocal is a specialized medical food product designed to provide additional calories without protein, vitamins, or minerals. It is intended for use under medical supervision for specific dietary needs. While information about consumer samples is limited, healthcare professionals can request product samples through Nutricia sales representatives. Patients seeking reimbursement assistance may access resources provided by the manufacturer, and WIC eligibility may be available depending on state-specific guidelines.

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article while adhering to all factual constraints. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

Sources

1. Duocal Product Page
2. Super Soluble Duocal Information
3. Nutricia Metabolics Healthcare Professionals
4. Neocate Healthcare Professionals