Expert review of neurotherapeutics
-
Expert Rev Neurother · Oct 2006
ReviewEnteral levodopa/carbidopa gel infusion for the treatment of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in advanced Parkinson's disease.
Pharmacotherapy designed to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease is focused on the stimulation of striatal dopamine receptors. The ideal pharmacological treatment would involve continuous dopaminergic stimulation. ⋯ A gel formulation of levodopa/carbidopa has been developed for enteral (duodenal or jejunal) infusion via a portable pump. The infusion provides smooth plasma levodopa levels, more continuous dopaminergic stimulation and effective treatment of motor complications.
-
Expert Rev Neurother · Oct 2006
ReviewZiconotide: a new nonopioid intrathecal analgesic for the treatment of chronic pain.
Ziconotide is a new nonopioid intrathecal agent recently approved for the treatment of chronic pain. Ziconotide is indicated for the management of severe chronic pain in patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted and who are intolerant of or refractory to other treatment, such as systemic analgesics, adjunctive therapies or intrathecal morphine. Ziconotide blocks the N-type calcium channels located in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord, resulting in potent analgesia. ⋯ Ziconotide is a potent analgesic with a narrow therapeutic window. The drug requires a slow titration in order to achieve analgesia while avoiding dose-limiting side effects. This review examines the currently available information on this new analgesic.