simone
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 Posted: 05/15/07 - 02:33 Post subject: U.S. approves first skin patch drug for Parkinson's |
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Following approval and launch within Europe, the U.S. FDA has approved a new drug in patch form to treat initial symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
The new drug called Neupro is made by Germany-based Schwarz Pharma AG and represents the first patch for Parkinson's. Neupro patch contains rotigotine, a drug not previously approved in the U.S. and will need to be used once a day.
The drug is designed to help treat trembling and other Parkinson's symptoms by activating dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine controls muscle movement and people with Parkinson's have movement problems because they loose brain cells that produce dopamine.
Scharz Pharma AG is planning to submit a supplemental New Drug Application for the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease to the FDA by the end of 2007. Patches will be available in doses of 2mg, 4mg, and 6mg depending on the severity of the symptoms and the effects would last 24 hours.
Today, 4 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson's, most of them from lack of dopamine, something that this patch could fix. |
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