By Adrienne Dellwo, About.com Guide September 12, 2011
NEWSBRIEF: The U.S. Patent Office has issued a new patent to Chelsea
Therapeutics for its drug droxidopa as a fibromyalgia treatment,
according to the company. The patent is based on positive results of
previous trials and would give Chelsea exclusive rights to produce the
drug for a certain period of time, if it receives FDA approval.
Chelsea says it is gearing up to start its second phase 2 trial of
droxidopa and has enrolled 120 fibromyalgia patients. The company
expects to release preliminary results by the end of 2011.
What is Droxidopa?
Droxidopa is a synthetic version of a substance your body uses to make
the neurotransmitter/hormone norepinephrine. Norepinephrine performs
several important functions, and your body also uses it to produce
dopamine, another important neurotransmitter. Studies have shown that
this drug can improve fatigue, weakness, concentration, and
orthostatic hypotension (blood pressure drop upon standing, which
causes dizziness) in several conditions.
The drug is not yet approved in the U.S. for any use. However, it is
currently in phase 2 trials for chronic fatigue syndrome (The study is
taking place at the Hunter-Hopkins Center in Charlotte, North
Carolina, under the supervision of Dr. Charles Lapp.) and phase 3
trials for orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease.
Based on typical timelines for drug testing and approval, this drug
could be on the market in 3 to 5 years, if current trials are
successful.
More Information:
Positive Results With Droxidopa for Fibromyalgia -
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2010/07/15/positive-results-reported-in-fibromyalgia-drug-trial.htm
Neurotransmitter Dysregulation in Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome - http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatingfmscfs/a/neurotranshub.htm
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2011/09/12/possible-fibromyalgia-drug-moves-forward.htm
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