The New York Times reports that the USA’s Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug for Parkinson’s. It’s the first time that the FDA approved a new PD medicine in ten years.
The drug’s trade name is Xadago (chemical name: safinamide). It is intended to help people who have been taking Sinemet but find that Sinemet is not helping so much after a few year’s use.
Here’s a positive excerpt from the article:
The pill was tested in two six-month studies that included about 1,200 patients taking a standard treatment, levodopa.
According to the FDA, adding Xadago to levodopa decreased periods with troubling symptoms such as involuntary muscle movement. Patients who took Xadago also had better control of movement compared to groups that got levodopa and dummy pills.
And here’s a scary excerpt:
Milan, Italy-based Newron Pharmaceuticals, which has a U.S. subsidiary in Morristown, New Jersey, developed Xadago, known chemically as safinamide. It was approved in the European Union in 2015.
Newron’s partner, US Worldwide Meds LLC of Louisville, Kentucky, will market Xadago in the U.S. That company said the drug’s list price without insurance will be $670 for a 30-day supply of either the 50- or 100-milligram dose.
Time to expand Obamacare to absolutely everyone in the USA!
Hi I live in Scotland and I’m sure that the medication would help me how could I get more information on the medication please Jane Cunningham
From the NY Times article: “Milan, Italy-based Newron Pharmaceuticals, which has a U.S. subsidiary in Morristown, New Jersey, developed Xadago, known chemically as safinamide. It was approved in the European Union in 2015.” So apparently it’s been available in Europe since 2015. Hope this helps.
The cost is criminal!! Have you heard anything about a “disease modifying” drug coming within the next 3-5 years? Maybe sooner? My neurologist mentioned it last week, but gave no details.