A New Treatment For Parkinson's Disease Is Awaiting Final FDA Approval

www.myparkinsonsinfo.com
Main Category: Parkinson's Disease
Article Date: 08 May 2007 - 12:00 PDT

One of the most promising new drug therapies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease is a new dopamine agonist (a drug that mimics the action of dopamine in the brain). Unlike other dopamine agonists, this new drug is is delivered via a delivery system that enables blood levels of the drug to stay consistent throughout the day. Consistent blood levels are important because blood levels that are too high can lead to side effects such as uncontrolled movements and blood levels that are too low may not adequately control the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Studies have suggested that this new Parkinson's therapy may have properties that not only lessen parkinsonian symptoms, but may also protect nerve cells in the substania nigra from degeneration and death.

Clinical trials have been completed for this new Parkinson's therapy and it is currently awaiting FDA approval in the United States for the treatment of the symptoms of early Parkinson's disease.

When I tried it, the link was not found.

sorry, try this link

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/70093.php

Thanks, SherylJ, for the info. Strange, tho, that the article (link) is so vague. No mention of the name of the drug, nothing about the researchers, etc. The "Learn More" link at the bottom of the article led no where. Hmmm. Anyone here have more details? Thanks.

The article is dated May 8, 2007

It's probably about Azelict

It’s maddening when articles are published as this one was with no hint of a name for the drug or the sponsor.!

You can check the Parkinson Pipeline Project Treatment Development database. In 2007, when this article was written, it shows 2 new dopamine agonist products for PD were approved or about to be approved by the FDA . both were supposed to provide a more even, smoother delivery of the dopamine agonist

So maybe they are talking about
1. Neupro (Rotigotine transdermal patch. (which was then removed from the U.S. market in 2008, because crystals formed when it was not kept refrigerated. It is being remanufactured in the US, but has been available in Europe for years. The whole sad history is in the database.) or

2, Requip XL 24-Hour (Ropinirole HC1), Also supposed to provide a steady rate of absorption in the body to help reduce blood plasma fluctuations. But it’s a reformulation , not a new drug. The sponsor received an approvable letter from the FDA in Dec. 2007. it was finally approved in June 2008

To read more go to www.pdpipeline.org
Click on “Therapy development database
You will be on the Treatment Scorecard. If you click on the top of the “Treatment class” column--- all the dopamine agonists will be sorted together. Click on name of drug you want to see

Has anyone heard anything more about the patch returning to US market?

I never even noticed the date on this article. It was prominently featured on the Medical News Today site along with the latest info about alpha synuclein...
so I just assumed it was current.Hopefully my oversight reminds everyone that we must be vigilant health care consumers and patient advocates.

Thanks for filling in the details, Linda.