Parkinson’s disease is a rapidly growing neurological condition affecting over 8.5 million individuals worldwide. Levodopa is a main drug used to treat symptoms affecting movement, but its efficacy diminishes over time. While other treatments such as deep brain stimulation and therapy can help manage symptoms, they also come with limitations and risks. Researchers have now found that continuous subcutaneous infusion of levodopa via a pump can improve the drug’s effectiveness in controlling movement problems. A Phase III trial compared the efficacy of oral levodopa to continuous infusion and found that the latter resulted in a reduction in troublesome dyskinesia and improvement on disease ratings scales.
The study was conducted globally with participants recruited at 117 sites in 16 countries. Participants first had their optimum dosage of oral levodopa determined, then their optimum dosage for subcutaneous infusion. A double-blind, double-dummy design was used to prevent bias, with participants unaware of which group they were in. Continuous infusion of levodopa was associated with a reduction in troublesome dyskinesia and better performance on disease ratings scales. Participants had the option to continue treatment with the infusion device as part of a further clinical trial.
Continuous infusion of levodopa could be a beneficial option for those who want to avoid surgery, as it offers improvement in symptoms without the risks associated with other treatments. The study did not compare the drug to other treatments, but researchers suggest that the device could provide better outcomes due to factors such as night-time dosing and less disruption to patients’ lifestyles. The infusion device is less invasive than existing options and provides an alternative to continuous delivery of levodopa.
Benefits of the device include freedom from having to constantly monitor medication intake, reduced yo-yo effect of taking and waiting for the drug to kick in, and less invasiveness compared to other methods. Patients experienced side effects related to reactions at the device site, but the improvement in symptoms is a promising result that could lead to further research and development in Parkinson’s disease treatment. Continuous subcutaneous infusion of levodopa has the potential to offer a more effective and convenient option for managing symptoms in individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
