New Parkinson's Drug May Combat Movement Difficulties

New Parkinson's Drug Could Fight Motion Difficulties

Opicapone, added to straightforward therapy, seems secure and well-tolerated, researchers say

WebMD Information from HealthDay

By Alan Mozes

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Jan. three, 2017 (HealthDay Information) -- New analysis means that individuals with Parkinson's illness might obtain higher and extra dependable motor management by taking an experimental drug known as opicapone alongside the usual remedy levodopa.

A examine of a number of hundred Parkinson's sufferers discovered that the drug -- opicapone -- boosts levodopa's capability to manage the motor difficulties related to Parkinson's, stated examine co-author Dr. Patricio Soares-da-Silva.

These motor issues embody tremors, stiffness, and slowed motion.

Opicapone (Ongentys) seems to be an enchancment over present therapy choices, stated Soares-da-Silva. He's director of analysis and growth for the drug's maker, Bial-Portela & Ca. SA, in Portugal.

There is no recognized treatment for Parkinson's, a progressive neuro-degenerative illness. Neither is there any therapy that successfully slows or stops illness development, in line with the Michael J. Fox Basis. The inspiration was established to discover a treatment for Parkinson's.

Nonetheless, sure drugs -- like levodopa -- will help management the motion issues.

The tremors and different motor difficulties come up due to inadequate dopamine -- a chemical messenger, or neurotransmitter. Levodopa (Sinemet) is a central nervous system remedy. Within the physique, the mind converts it into dopamine.

Levodopa, a tablet, stays an important first-line drug for the administration of Parkinson's, in line with the Nationwide Parkinson Basis.

However levodopa is hard to take. As a result of it might trigger extreme nausea, it should be taken with the drug carbidopa. Carbidopa (Lodosyn) prevents nausea and enhances levodopa's efficiency.

Additionally, as Parkinson's progresses, long-term levodopa sufferers typically expertise a wearing-off impact often known as dyskinesia, which is characterised by frequent involuntary motion.

Two medicine often known as COMT inhibitors are used to fight this impact, however each have critical downsides. One raises the danger for liver failure, whereas the opposite solely boosts levodopa effectiveness reasonably, nonetheless leaving sufferers with a irritating curler coaster of therapy reliability, the researchers stated.

The brand new examine got down to discover a doable new possibility, opicapone. It, too, inhibits the COMT enzyme.

To check it, the researchers recruited 427 Parkinson's sufferers (common age 63) from 71 well being care services throughout 12 international locations.