Randomized, double-blind study of pramipexole with placebo and bromocriptine in advanced Parkinson's disease.

We compared the efficacy and safety of pramipexole (PPX) with placebo in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) as an adjunct to levodopa. A bromocriptine (BR) group was included to enable determination of the noninferiority of PPX relative to BR as the standard treatment.     

A randomly assigned double-blind cross-over study examining the relative anti-parkinsonian tremor effects of pramipexole and pergolide

This study examined the relative anti-Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor potencies of pergolide and pramipexole in people with PD, using a 3-month double-blind cross-over design. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either pergolide and then pramipexole (n=9) or vice versa (n=8). The dose of the respective dopamine agonist was increased according to a titration schedule up to a maximum 1.5 mg t.d.s., with cross-over at 10 weeks. Assessments were performed at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. The primary outcome measures were the differences in the clinical (rest and postural) tremor scores on pergolide versus pramipexole. Seventeen PD patients (11 females and six males) with a mean age 68.4 years (range: 55-84 years) and a mean disease duration of 3.9 years (range: 2 months to 13 years) participated in the study. Twelve of the patients were taking other anti-parkinsonian medications. Two patients dropped out of the study whilst on pergolide. Fifteen of 16 patients were able to cross-over from one dopamine agonist to the other, without major retitration. There were no significant differences between the effects of the two drugs on the primary outcome measures, suggesting that the anti-PD tremor efficacies of dopaminergic medications are not dependent on differential affinities for dopamine receptor types.     

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center study of pramipexole in advanced Parkinson's disease

Pramipexole (SND 919), a potent non-ergot dopamine agonist, or placebo, was administered to 69 patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (33 received placebo, 36 received pramipexole) in a double-blind, randomized, multi-center study in which individually optimized doses of l -dopa plus a dopa decarboxylase inhibitor were associated with dyskinesia, "on–off" fluctuation, dystonia, akinesia, or end-of-dose deterioration. Study medication was titrated over 7 weeks to the maximal tolerated dose or to the maximal dose allowed by the study (5 mg/day in four divided doses). Dosing was maintained for 4 weeks and then tapered during the final week. Total score on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) for the intent-to-treat population was significantly improved in the pramipexole-treated group compared with the placebo-treated group (16.9 ± 14.9 vs 9.0 ± 16.1; p = 0.0184). By the end of maintenance, the mean reduction in l -dopa requirement was −150.7 mg for pramipexole-treated patients compared to −10.6 for placebo-treated patients. The most common adverse events (> 10%) were dizziness, insomnia, nausea, and postural hypotension. Aggravated parkinsonism occurred only after withdrawal of the study medication. Treatment with pramipexole in doses up to 5 mg/day was safe and well tolerated by patients with advanced Parkinson's disease.     

Efficacy,safety, and tolerability of overnight switching from immediate‐ to once daily extended‐release pramipexole in early Parkinson's disease

The aim of this article is to test the feasibility, in early Parkinson's disease (PD), of an overnight switch from immediate‐release (IR) pramipexole to a new once‐daily extended‐release (ER) formulation. Nonfluctuating patients on pramipexole IR three‐times daily, alone or with levodopa, for early PD were randomly switched overnight to double‐blind IR three‐times daily (N = 52) or ER once‐daily (N = 104) at initially unchanged daily dosage. Successful switching (defined as no worsening >15% of baseline UPDRS II+III score and no drug‐related adverse event withdrawal) was assessed at 9 weeks, after optional dosage adjustments (primary endpoint), and at 4 weeks, before adjustment. Other secondary endpoints included adjusted mean changes from baseline in UPDRS scores and proportion of responders based on Clinical or Patient Global Impression (CGI/PGI). Absolute difference between percentage of successful switch to ER versus IR was tested for ER noninferiority, defined as a 95% confidence‐interval lower bound not exceeding ?15%. At 9 weeks, 84.5% of the ER group had been successfully switched, versus 94.2% for IR. Noninferiority was not demonstrated, with a difference of ?9.76% (95% CI: [?18.81%, +1.66%]). At 4 weeks, 81.6% of the ER group had been successfully switched, versus 92.3% for IR, a difference of ?10.75% (95% CI: [?20.51%, +1.48%]). UPDRS changes and CGI/PGI analyses showed no differences between the groups. Both formulations were safe and well tolerated. Pramipexole ER was not equivalent to IR, but the difference was marginal. The fact that >80% of the patients successfully switched overnight at unchanged dosage shows that this practice was feasible in most patients. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society     

Double-blind, single-dose, cross-over study of the effects of pramipexole, pergolide, and placebo on rest tremor and UPDRS part III in Parkinson's disease.

Tremor is one of the cardinal signs of Parkinson's disease (PD) but its response to antiparkinsonian medication is variable. It has been postulated that pramipexole may have a stronger antiparkinsonian tremor effect than pergolide, another direct acting dopamine agonist medication, possibly because the former has preferential affinity for the dopamine D3 receptor. The purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of a single oral dose of either pramipexole (Pr) or pergolide (Pe) or placebo (Pl) on parkinsonian tremor and the motor (part III) subsection of the UPDRS. Ten patients (6 men, 4 women), mean age 65.3 years, mean duration from diagnosis of 2.6 years, with tremor dominant PD were recruited. On three separate occasions a single dose of pramipexole (salt) 500 microg, pergolide 500 microg or placebo were administered in random order to each patient, who were pretreated with domperidone and had their antiparkinsonian medication withheld from midnight before study. After each medication patients were assessed at baseline and then every 30 min for 4 hr using a 0 to 10 tremor rating scale and the UPDRS (part III) in a double-blind protocol. Adverse effects were systematically recorded. The results demonstrate that 500 microg of either pramipexole or pergolide reduced PD rest tremor scores to a similar degree, which at peak effect was significantly greater than placebo (respectively Pe v Pl: P < 0.006, Pr v Pl: P < 0.033). The two active drugs also had weaker beneficial effects on the UPDRS part III. Pergolide, however, was significantly more likely than pramipexole to cause nausea (P = 0.005) or vomiting (P = 0.014).     

Increase in body weight after pramipexole treatment in Parkinson's disease.

Body weight changes occur during the clinical course of Parkinson's disease (PD) and with surgical treatment, but the effect of dopaminergic treatment on weight is unknown. Body mass index (BMI), Hamilton depression scale score (HDS), and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III (UPRS-III) were measured before and 3 months after starting pramipexole in 28 PD patients. Pramipexole produced a significant weight increase, as well as motor and mood improvement (P <0.001). HDS and BMI changes were mildly related (P = 0.05). A direct effect of pramipexole on limbic D(3) receptors involved in the control of feeding may be responsible for weight gain in PD.     

Switching from pergolide to pramipexole in patients with Parkinson's disease

Summary. Objective/Background. To compare the safety and efficacy of pramipexole and pergolide in the treatment of mild to moderate Parkinson's disease (PD). In contrast to pergolide, a D₁ and D₂ dopamine agonist, pramipexole is a nonergoline dopamine agonist with D₂ and preferential D₃ dopamine receptor activity. This selective activity may result in clinically different effects. No prospective head-to-head comparison studies of pergolide and pramipexole have been reported. Methods. Patients with PD who were maintained on an optimal dose of pergolide were converted to pramipexole, typically over a one-month period. Clinical assessments were performed just prior to conversion and after an optimal dose of pramipexole was achieved. Results. Twenty-five patients were converted from pergolide to pramipexole during the period of July, 1997 to January, 1999. Three patients were lost to follow-up, and one patient died. Of the remaining 21 patients there were 11 men and 10 women, mean age was 67.3 years ± 10.0 (range 51–84). Mean duration of symptoms prior to conversion was 12.5 years ± 3.4 (range 5–19). All patients (except one) were on concomitant carbidopa/levodopa and experienced motor fluctuations. After a mean follow-up of 5.9 ± 2.9 months on pramipexole, the mean levodopa daily dose was reduced from 618.7 mg to 581.2 mg (16.5% reduction, p = 0.61). The mean daily doses of pergolide and pramipexole (in milligrams per day) were 2.1 ± 1.5 (0.15–6) and 3.2 ± 1.1 (0.75–6) respectively. Thirteen patients (62%) reported overall improvement (subjective global response) on pramipexole as compared to pergolide, 5 (24%) were unchanged and 3 (14%) reported worsening. Eighteen of the 21 patients (86%) remained on pramipexole after the study period. Although there was a slight trend toward improved scores on pramipexole, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. This open label study failed to provide evidence of superior efficacy of either dopamine agonist. It is possible, however, that while some patients may benefit more from either pergolide or pramipexole, other patients may obtain additional benefit from other DA agonists or combination therapy. Future randomized, controlled, double-blinded therapeutic trials are needed to determine which, if any, dopamine agonist is superior in the treatment of PD. Received February 18, 2000; accepted July 17, 2000     

Rationale for delayed‐start study of pramipexole in Parkinson's disease: The PROUD study

Perhaps the most important unmet need in Parkinson's disease (PD) is the ability to slow or prevent progression of the neurodegeneration that underlies the motor and nonmotor features of this disorder. Pramipexole, a dopamine agonist used for the symptomatic treatment of PD, has demonstrated neuroprotective properties in laboratory studies. The PRamipexole On Underlying Disease (PROUD) study is a randomized, double‐blind clinical trial evaluating the ability of pramipexole to modify disease progression using a delayed‐start design. PD patients (n = 535) with mean age 62.5 years, mean duration since diagnosis of 4.4 months, and mean total Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score of 24.5 were recruited. In Phase I, patients were randomly assigned to be titrated to 1.5 mg pramipexole or placebo and maintained on study drug for 6–9 months. In Phase II, all patients were titrated to 1.5 mg pramipexole and maintained on study drug until the end of the study at 15 months. No rescue medication was allowed in the protocol. The primary endpoint is the change in total UPDRS score (parts I–III) from baseline to 15 months. A range of secondary endpoints separately assess UPDRS subscales, quality of life, depression, and impulse control disorders. A sub‐study examined dopamine transporter uptake scans at baseline and 15 months. The results of PROUD will provide insight into the potential for early versus delayed treatment with pramipexole to modify motor outcome at 15 months in recently diagnosed PD patients. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society     

Efficacy of pramipexole in restless legs syndrome: a six-week, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study (effect-RLS study).

We evaluated the efficacy of pramipexole versus placebo in restless legs syndrome (RLS) for 6 weeks. Overall, 345 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:2 ratio to receive either placebo (n = 115) or pramipexole (n = 230) with a starting dose of 0.125 mg/day. The dose was individually optimized according to the Patient Global Impression (PGI) assessment, up to a maximum of 0.75 mg/day. The primary endpoint consisted of two assessments: the change from baseline in the International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS) and the proportion of patients with Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) assessments of "much/very much improved" (CGI-I responders) at week 6. Secondary endpoints included PGI and IRLS responder rates. Patient demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable between treatment groups. At baseline, mean IRLS scores were 24.9 (placebo) and 24.7 (pramipexole), representing severely affected patients. After 6 weeks, adjusted mean reductions (+/-SE) in IRLS score were 5.7 (+/-0.9) for placebo (median dose 0.47 mg/day) and 12.3 (+/-0.6) for pramipexole (median dose 0.35 mg/day; P < 0.0001). CGI-I responder rates were 32.5% (placebo) and 62.9% (pramipexole) (P < 0.0001). For all secondary endpoints, pramipexole showed superior results. Pramipexole was well tolerated throughout the study.     

Long-term efficacy and safety of deprenyl (selegiline) in advanced Parkinson's disease

Twenty-two patients with advanced Parkinson's disease whose symptom fluctuations had initially responded to deprenyl supplementation were followed for 19 to 27 months on that drug. The improvement disappeared in most cases after a mean of 7-8 months but persists at latest follow-up in 5 patients. Transient or continuing abnormalities in liver function tests occurred in 9 patients.     

Long-term efficacy and safety of galantamine in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer''s disease: multicenter trial

In clinical trials, short-term galantamine treatment produces consistent positive effects on global ratings, cognitive tests, and assessments of activities of daily living and behavior in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), providing the rationale for longer-term, open-label treatment. In this continuation trial following enrollment in previous 12-month trials, patients received galantamine 24 mg/day for a total of 24 months (total exposure up to 36 months). Primary efficacy measures were the ADAS-cog/11 and DAD. Adverse events (AEs) were coded to WHO preferred terms, including AEs begun in previous trials. Initial improvement in cognitive function was followed by a gradual decline, as measured by increased ADAS-cog/11 scores. At 36 months, ADAS-cog/11 scores increased by a mean (SEM) of 12.4 (0.80) points (P < 0.001) versus a projected 22-point increase for untreated patients. Functional abilities, as measured by the DAD, had decreased significantly at each time point versus baseline (P < 0.001). The most common treatment-emergent AEs were agitation (16.1%), insomnia (12.4%), fall (11.2%), and urinary tract infection (10.2%). AEs were mainly mild to moderate, appropriate for an elderly population, with few judged treatment related. Galantamine 24 mg/day is safe and effective for long-term treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. Potential exists for prolonged benefit with galantamine therapy versus lack of treatment for the long-term.     

Randomized,double‐blind,multicenter evaluation of pramipexole extended release once daily in early Parkinson's disease

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pramipexole extended release (ER) administered once daily in early Parkinson's disease (PD). Pramipexole immediate release (IR) administered three times daily (TID) is an efficacious and generally well‐tolerated treatment for PD. A pramipexole ER formulation is now available. We performed a randomized, double‐blind, placebo and active comparator–controlled trial in subjects with early PD. The primary efficacy and safety evaluation of pramipexole ER compared with placebo took place at week 18. Two hundred fifty‐nine subjects were randomized 2:2:1 to treatment with pramipexole ER once daily, pramipexole IR TID, or placebo. Levodopa rescue was required by 7 subjects in the placebo group (14%), 3 subjects in the pramipexole ER group (2.9%, P = 0.0160), and 1 subject in the pramipexole IR group (1.0%, P = 0.0017). Adjusted mean [standard error (SE)] change in Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II [activities of daily living (ADL)] + III (motor) scores from baseline to week 18, including post‐levodopa rescue evaluations, was ?5.1 (1.3) in the placebo group, ?8.1 (1.1) in the pramipexole ER group (P = 0.0282), and ?8.4 (1.1) in the pramipexole IR group (P = 0.0153). Adjusted mean (SE) change in UPDRS ADL + motor scores, censoring post‐levodopa rescue data, was ?2.7 (1.3) in the placebo group, ?7.4 (1.1) in the pramipexole ER group (P = 0.0010), and ?7.5 (1.1) in the pramipexole IR group (P = 0.0006). Adverse events more common with pramipexole ER than placebo included somnolence, nausea, constipation, and fatigue. Pramipexole ER administered once daily was demonstrated to be efficacious compared with placebo and provided similar efficacy and tolerability as pramipexole IR administered TID. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society     

Pilot efficacy and tolerability: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of levetiracetam for essential tremor.

The purpose of this pilot single-site study was to assess efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for essential tremor, using a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized crossover design with an interim analysis planned after completion of the first 10 to 15 subjects. The study was designed to detect a mean 30% reduction in composite tremor score, comparable to that of primidone or propranolol, which can be demonstrated with 30 or fewer subjects. Each treatment arm included baseline tremor assessments, a 4-week medication titration, 2 weeks of stable dose, and treatment tremor assessments. Levetiracetam was titrated to 3,000 mg/day or to a lower maximal tolerated dose. The median age was 72 years, with 28 years median tremor duration. There was no statistically significant difference in response between placebo and levetiracetam on any tremor rating scale or accelerometry measure. The 95% confidence interval for the true mean difference between placebo and levetiracetam treatments was +18.5 to -22.5%, which excludes the minimum 30% drop required to consider levetiracetam clinically effective to a degree comparable to primidone or propranolol. Whether levetiracetam has lesser-degree antitremor efficacy was not addressed in this pilot study.     

Efficacy and safety of pramipexole in chinese patients with restless legs syndrome: results from a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background

We performed a six-week study of pramipexole vs. a placebo in Chinese restless legs syndrome patients.

Methods

Overall, 305 enrolled patients were assigned randomly in a 2:1 ratio to the pramipexole group (N = 202) and the placebo group (N = 103).

Results

Of 287 patients in the full analysis set, the pramipexole group showed significant improvement compared with the placebo group in the change of their International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale of Severity (IRLS) total score from baseline to week 6 after adjustment of centers and baseline characters (−15.87 ± 0.66 vs. −11.35 ± 0.92, p < 0.0001) and in the proportion of patients who were “much improved” and “very much improved” when measured by Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (81.9% vs. 54.3%, p < 0.0001). At week 6, the IRLS responder rate was 73.8% (pramipexole) and 48.9% (placebo) (p < 0.0001) and the patient global impression responder rate was 68.6% (pramipexole) and 43.5% (placebo) (p < 0.0001). The proportion of adverse events was 62.9% in the pramipexole group and 43.7% in the placebo group, respectively. No deaths occurred.

Conclusion

Pramipexole was effective and well-tolerated in Chinese patients with restless legs syndrome.     

An open-label, multicentre clinical trial to determine the levodopa dose-sparing capacity of pramipexole in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Summary. Ninety-three patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) entered a 12 week open-label, baseline controlled, multicentre study. The study was designed to determine the levodopa sparing effect of pramipexole as add-on treatment in PD while maintaining an optimal clinical improvement in motor performance. The overall reduction in adjusted levodopa dose was the primary endpoint. Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) subscores as well as motor fluctuations, frequency and severity of dyskinesia (assessed by patient diaries) were secondary endpoints. Pramipexole permitted a median reduction of adjusted levodopa by 40% while maintaining or improving the UPDRS scores in 61 patients (per protocol [PP] analysis). The intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis (90 patients) similarly revealed a median reduction of 40%. An anticipated short-term levodopa dose reduction as substantiated by 95% confidence interval calculations lies within a range of 35% to 50%. If unadjusted levodopa doses were considered, a median reduction of 42% (PP) or 43% (ITT) was achieved. 47% patients (ITT) had a levodopa dose reduction (adjusted) of more than 40% while maintaining or improving their level of efficacy, and 72.2% had a reduction of at least 20%. Motor fluctuations improved compared to baseline according to patient diaries and UPDRS part IV. These findings suggest that pramipexole can markedly reduce the daily levodopa dosage without deterioration of motor response and support that this new selective D2/D3 receptor agonist also improves later levodopa-associated motor complications. Received November 11, 1999; accepted April 7, 2000     

Adjunctive lacosamide for partial-onset seizures: Efficacy and safety results from a randomized controlled trial

Purpose:   To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lacosamide (200 and 400 mg/day) when added to one to three concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in patients with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures.
Methods:   This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial randomized patients (age 16–70 years) with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization to placebo, lacosamide 200, or lacosamide 400 mg/day. The trial consisted of an 8-week baseline, a 4-week titration, and a 12-week maintenance period.
Results:   Four hundred eighty-five patients were randomized and received trial medication. Among these, 87% were taking two or more concomitant AEDs. Median percent reduction in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline to maintenance period (intent-to-treat, ITT) was 20.5% for placebo, 35.3% for lacosamide 200 mg/day (p   =   0.02), and 36.4% for 400 mg/day (p   =   0.03). In the per protocol population, the reductions were 35.3% for lacosamide 200 mg/day (p   =   0.04) and 44.9% for 400 mg/day (p   =   0.01) compared to placebo (25.4%). The 50% responder rate for lacosamide 400 mg/day (40.5%) was significant (p   =   0.01) over placebo (25.8%), but was not for 200 mg/day (35.0%). In the per protocol population, the 50% responder rate for lacosamide 400 mg/day (46.3%) was significant (p   <   0.01) compared with the placebo responder rate (27.5%). Dose-related adverse events (AEs) included dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Clinically relevant changes in the mean plasma concentrations of commonly used AEDs were not observed.
Discussion:   Results of this trial demonstrated the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive lacosamide 200 and 400 mg/day and support that lacosamide may be an advantageous option for the treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients with epilepsy.