New delivery method improves Parkinson's drug efficacy

A new method for delivering two common drugs used to treat patients with Parkinson's disease has been shown to improve their efficacy.

Researchers at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine claim that an intestinal gel could boost the performance of levodopa/carbidopa.

Through continuous delivery of drugs via the orally administered gel, patients are said to experience a reduced "off" time in which medicines stop working.

This reduction is on average two extra hours per day and is key to the improvement of quality of life for patients.

Furthermore, during "on" time those with Parkinson's experienced fewer involuntary movements.

Dr Warren Olanow, leader of the study, commented: "Maintaining a response to oral therapy is a challenge in Parkinson's disease patients, and there is a significant unmet need for a treatment that provides the benefits of the drug without off time or dyskinesia."

Should the findings be confirmed, they will help to stave off the onset of Parkinson's disease.

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