10th January 2015 - New research

DUAL RELEASE L-DOPA APPROVED FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Rytary, which is produced by Impax, has been approved by the FDA (in the USA) for use in the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. Impax expects Rytary to be available for use in February 2015. Most forms of L-dopa are either immediate release, which can cause an excessive effect, or controlled release, which can be slow to start having effect. Rytary is advantageous due to including both immediate release and prolonged release L-dopa.

Rytary can also be used for post-encephalitic parkinsonism, and parkinsonism that may follow carbon monoxide intoxication or manganese intoxication. Rytary is designed to address one of the most significant unmet needs for patients living with Parkinson's disease, which is to reduce the amount of time during the day when their symptoms are not adequately controlled.

Rytary is combined with carbidopa in a 4 : 1 ratio in order to maintain its effect. There are four strengths of Rytary (carbidopa/ levodopa) :, 23.75mg/95mg, 36.25mg/145mg, 48.75mg/195mg, and 61.25mg/ 245mg. Rytary may be swallowed whole or, for patients who have trouble swallowing, the capsule may be opened and the beads sprinkled on to food and consumed immediately.

In advanced Parkinson's Disease Rytary reduced the percentage of "off" time (by 37% to 23%) when compared to immediate-release carbidopa-levodopa. The most common adverse reactions with Rytary (in at least 5% of patients and more frequently than in placebo) were nausea, dizziness, headache, insomnia, abnormal dreams, dry mouth, dyskinesia, anxiety, constipation, vomiting, and orthostatic hypotension. The most common adverse reactions in advanced Parkinson's Disease were nausea and headache. For more information go to the News Release for 08 Jan 2015 News release   For more news go to Parkinson's Disease News

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