There is a new alternative for sufferers of the later stages of Parkinson’s disease with the European approval of Neupro (rotigotine transdermal patch) as an adjuvant to levodopa therapy.
Developed by Schwarz Pharma, Neupro provides stable plasma concentrations of rotigotine, a new and effective dopamine agonist.
The elimination of the peaks and troughs associated with traditional oral dopaminergic therapy is thought to produce continuous stimulation of the dopamine receptors in the brain. This steady state may translate into reductions in disruptive “on–off” fluctuations associated with long-term levodopa administration in late-stage Parkinson’s patients.
Once-daily patch application also has potential advantages when compared with some traditional oral dopamine agonists, such as improved patient compliance.
“The new indication for Neupro will allow more people with Parkinson’s in moderate to advanced stages to benefit from this novel therapy and help achieve 24-hour control of their motor and some non-motor symptoms,” said Dr K R Chaudhuri, consultant neurologist, Kings College Hospital, London.
