Have you ever heard of the Neupro patch? This transdermal delivery system directly delivers a dopamine agonist called rotigotine into the body. For patients with Parkinson’s disease, restless legs syndrome, and other similar conditions, the Neupro patch reduces symptoms and provides relief. Now, shares Parkinson’s News Today, pharmaceutical company Vektor Pharma will soon test a generic version of the patch.
Neupro Patch
Normally, Neupro patches deliver rotigotine through the skin over a 24 hour period. The therapy is a dopamine agonist. Basically, an agonist is a type of substance which creates a physiological response in your body. In this case, rotigotine imitates dopamine. This is especially important for patients with Parkinson’s, as the condition results from dopaminergic nerve death.
Vektor developed generic Neupro patches near the beginning of 2020. However, they are only just getting to the point of clinical trials. At first, Vektor will test the patch in Germany. The company will later continue testing throughout Europe. First, the clinical trial will test the patch’s bioavailability. However, it is anticipated that the company will later test safety and efficacy, should the trials progress to that point. Vektor anticipates some data by the end of the year.
Parkinson’s Disease
In patients with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive CNS disorder, dopamine-producing neurons degenerate and die. As a result, patients lose motor function as the brain fails to communicate with the muscles. Parkinson’s occurs in five stages, the first of which has only mild symptoms. However, by the final stage, patients are unable to stand, walk, or live independently. For most patients, symptoms appear after 50 years old. These symptoms include:
- Changes in speech, such as slurring or stuttering
- Hallucinations
- Confusion or dementia
- Muscle stiffness and rigidity
- Slowed movement
- Tremors in the hands and limbs
- Fatigue
- Loss of smell
- Poor balance and posture
- Sleep disturbances
- Anxiety
- Apathy
- Difficulty swallowing
- Unintended weight loss
Learn more about Parkinson’s disease.
