When Parkinson’s medications are working and symptoms are controlled – also known as “On” time – people with the disease feel better and are more able to participate in the activities they enjoy. So when the FDA approves a new drug that extends “Good On” time for people with Parkinson’s, it’s encouraging news for our community.
This week, the FDA approved CREXONT®, a drug developed by Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Unlike the well-known treatment carbidopa/levidopa, which is short-acting and can cause fluctuations in symptoms, CREXONT combines immediate-release granules with extended-release pellets to extend “Good On” time for people with Parkinson’s. The result is more “Good On” time with fewer doses than standard immediate-release carbidopa/levodopa.
“The treatment goals for people living with Parkinson’s disease include achieving a more robust duration of benefit per dose of LD, reducing ‘Off’ time, and simplifying dosing regimens. CREXONT’s longer ‘Good On’ time per day and per dose represents a substantial advancement in managing motor symptoms and maintaining more consistent therapeutic effects, which is very encouraging for both patients and the Parkinson’s community,” said Robert A. Hauser, M.D., Professor of Neurology at the University of South Florida and Director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Center.
Amneal expects to make CREXONT available to patients in the U.S. in September 2024. If you’re experiencing “Off” times when you’re medications are wearing off between doses, talk to your doctor about your treatment options. To learn more about CREXONT, read Amneal’s press release on the company’s website.
