Monoamine oxidase inhibitors approved for Parkinson disease
KEY POINT
Rasagiline (Azilect—Teva Neuroscience), a monoamine oxidase type-B (MAO-B) inhibitor that blocks the breakdown of dopamine, was recently approved by FDA as once-daily monotherapy in early Parkinson’s disease and as adjunct therapy to levodopa in moderate-to-advanced Parkinson disease. Rasagiline is taken once daily, and 0.5 and 1 mg tablets should be available by August. Separately, a new formulation of selegiline (Zelapar Orally Disintegrating Tablets–Valeant Pharmaceuticals), also an MAO-B inhibitor, has been approved by FDA as once-daily adjunct therapy to levodopa in moderate-to-advanced Parkinson disease. Zelapar will be available as 1.25 mg tablets.
SOURCES
Parkinson Study Group. A controlled trial of rasagiline in early Parkinson disease: the TEMPO Study. Arch Neurol. 2002;59:1937–43.
Parkinson Study Group. A randomized placebo-controlled trial of rasagiline in levodopa-treated patients with Parkinson disease and motor fluctuations: the PRESTO study. Arch Neurol. 2005;62:241–8.
Rascol O et al. Rasagiline as an adjunct to levodopa in patients with Parkinson’s disease and motor fluctuations (LARGO, lasting effect in adjunct therapy with rasagiline given once daily, study): a randomised, double-blind, parallel-group trial. Lancet. 2005;365:947–54.
Waters CH et al. Zydis selegiline reduces off time in Parkinson’s disease patients with motor fluctuations: a 3-month, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Mov Disord. 2004;19:426–32.
