UC study: Subcutaneous infusion pump safe, effective for Parkinson’s treatment

[Farooqji]

Levodopa is most commonly administered orally, but this trial tested continuous, 24-hour levodopa delivery through a subcutaneous infusion pump. A total of 381 patients with Parkinson’s disease in 16 countries enrolled in the trial and were randomized to receive levodopa through the infusion pump or through traditional oral medication

eurekalert.org/news-release...

[Rupa88]

hurry up please......

We need more effective with less side effect treatments.

And Farooqji thank you for your informative posts🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[qazwsx11]

Just the beginning of this new group of treatments. There's so much potential and the cost is a fraction of DBS.

[Gallowglass]

many thanks! Hope!

[LauraYu]

the pump costs $62,000 annually in Canada, and I just checked with my insurance company, it’s not covered. Same stories for a bunch of my Parkinson friends. The pump maybe effective, but the cost is a problem

[SusanRenee in reply to LauraYu]

Like all new developments if effective and new, costs will be driven down over time due to demand & competition.

[dkdc in reply to SusanRenee]

So just wait about 5 years. No problem?

[SusanRenee in reply to dkdc]

I try to be more optimistic...glass is half full. None of us are living with "no problem s"

[LauraYu in reply to SusanRenee]

Right, I am going to write to my MP, we need to raise voice for Parkinson’s patients, hopefully they can cover some cost.

[SusanRenee in reply to LauraYu]

Great idea, best wishes!

[LauraYu in reply to SusanRenee]

Thank you!

[Funnygirl64 in reply to LauraYu]

how can we get it from Canada ?

[LauraYu in reply to Funnygirl64]

My neurologist is with Toronto Western Hospital, and she mentioned the pump. You can ask your neurologist about it. I think it has just been approved by the government in Feb, and they are probably still preparing for the use of the pump, training nurses etc. Toronto Western may be the first one to prescribe it, and so far none of the people I know received the pump yet.

[dkdc]

Possible side effects of higher daily dose of levodopa? 40% non compliance rate? How many years until everyone can afford it? Cost vs DBS not better I have heard. (see below $60,000 per year) Neurologists like it better though.

[LauraYu in reply to dkdc]

The dose is likely higher than the sinemet we are talking, but because it’s injecting levodopa continuously, dopamine level is more stable than taking oral drugs. This is beneficial for dyskinesia. I’ve heard that injection side infection is a major issue, and the cost is way too high.

[dkdc]

It would be nice to eat a healthy diet - fiber, protein, healthy fats - without compromising dopamine to the brain.