Role and clinical utility of pramipexole extended release in the treatment of
early Parkinson's disease.
Author(s): Hametner EM, Seppi K, Poewe W.
Affiliation(s): Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria.
Publication date & source: 2012, Clin Interv Aging. , 7:83-8
The aim of this article is to provide a short review of the most relevant
pharmacological and clinical data on pramipexole extended release (ER) as well as
to address the clinical utility and potential advantages of a once-daily
formulation especially in the treatment of early Parkinson's disease (PD).
Pramipexole is widely established as a symptomatic treatment in early as well as
advanced PD. The development of an ER formulation, with stable pramipexole plasma
concentration over 24 hours, now offers a bioequivalent once-daily alternative.
Double-blind randomized controlled trials in early and advanced PD, have
established noninferiority of pramipexole ER compared with immediate release as
well as superiority of both formulations over placebo. The overnight switch from
the standard to the once-daily formulation was shown to be successful in >80% of
patients without requiring any dose adjustments. Potential benefits of the
prolonged-release design, which have not yet been formally demonstrated in the
pivotal trial program, include improved compliance and a potential for better
symptomatic control, particularly in patients with early disease that can be
managed with monotherapy.
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