30th December 2016 - New research

OPICAPONE CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

Catechol O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors are used for end-of-dose motor fluctuations associated with L-dopa therapy in people with Parkinson's Disease. Current COMT inhibitors can cause adverse effects or show moderate improvement. Opicapone, which is intended to overcome these problems, has recently been authorised for sale as Ongentys by the European Commission. For more information go to : Ongentys

The efficacy and safety of opicapone was evaluated when taking daily dosages of 25mg and 50-mg when added to the existing use of L-dopa in people with Parkinson's Disease.

Treatment with a daily 50mg dose of opicapone was associated with a significant reduction in mean daily off-time in people with Parkinson's Disease who were taking L-dopa. The change in off time was a reduction of 64 minutes for those taking a placebo, 101 minutes for those taking 25mg opicapone, and 118 minutes for those people taking 50mg opicapone. The off-time reduction was sustained throughout the study period. The most common adverse events in those people taking opicapone were dyskinesia, constipation, and dry mouth. Nearly 12% of patients discontinued the study.

Reference : JAMA Neurology [2016] Dec 27 [Epub ahead of print] (A.J.Lees, J.Ferreira, O.Rascol, W.Poewe, J.F.Rocha, M.McCrory, P.Soares-da-Silva) Complete abstract   For more news go to Parkinson's Disease News

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