title: IPX066 , a mixed immediate/sustained-release levodopa preparation for Parkinson's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  L-DOPA has long been the 'gold standard' treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD), but suffers from poor oral bioavailability and rapid pharmacokinetic elimination. A longer acting preparation has long been sought.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted PubMed search for IPX066 and reviewed abstracts from meetings that included the topic of PD. IPX066 is a novel mixed immediate release (IR) and sustained-release levodopa preparation designed to prolong the clinical effect of a single dose. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrate similar time to peak dose as regular IR L-DOPA, but a longer duration of time with > 50% of peak dose. This contrasts with available controlled release preparations that have a delay to onset. Clinic trials in fluctuating PD patients show that IPX066 provided more 'on' time despite fewer daily doses, compared to IR L-DOPA. As expected, it was also superior to placebo in early PD. However, it is not known whether it can achieve l-DOPA levels that are continuous enough to delay the onset of fluctuations when given early in the disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although not a radical advance in L-DOPA therapy, the drug will clearly have a role in more advanced patients taking multiple L-DOPA doses and may have a role as first-line therapy when starting l-DOPA.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center , 6410 Fannin St, Suite 1014, Houston, TX 77030 , USA +1 832 325 7080 ; william.ondo@uth.tmc.edu.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ondo
mesh_terms: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002230:Carbidopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004338:Drug Combinations; C009265:carbidopa, levodopa drug combination; D007980:Levodopa; D002230:Carbidopa
keywords: IPX066; Parkinson’s disease; l-DOPA; levodopa