Abstract:

The purpose of this report is to recall the evidence from recent clinical trials and observational studies supporting the efficacy and safety of opicapone as an adjunct to levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This report will include the latest findings from a phase 2 clinical trial (the opicapone-203 trial), demonstrating that, despite using a lower levodopa dose, opicapone can significantly increase the bioavailability of levodopa and improve motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Results from this new study further suggest that a combination of catechol-O- methyltransferase (COMT) inhibition, together with an adequate levodopa daily dosing, may provide optimal dopaminergic delivery and consequently stimulation in patients with PD.

Keywords:

PARKINSON’S DISEASE, COMT INHIBITION, OPICAPONE-203 TRIAL, LEVODOPA, BIOAVAILABILITY, MOTOR FUNCTION