Gocovri treatment decreases dyskinesia and off times in patients with Parkinson’s disease

This study investigated the effectiveness of Gocovri (amantadine) in the treatment of dyskinesia (DYS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Researchers suggested that this treatment improves DYS symptoms.

PD affects brain cells. The abilities controlled by these cells are lost, such as muscle function and balance. The standard treatment for PD is levodopa. However, long-term levodopa is associated with negative side effects, such as DYS. DYS consists of abnormal body movements, that affects the quality of life of the patients.

Additionally, patients receiving long-term levodopa treatment experience off periods 3 to 4 hours after a dose. When this happens, the symptoms come back often worsen.

Gocovri slow release capsules have been used to treat DYS in patients with PD. Slow drug release into the body provides a high dose in the morning and throughout the day. Prior studies have shown that this drug is associated with DYS improvements and decreased off times. However, the effectiveness of this drug in the treatment of patients with PD is still not clear.

This study included information about 162 patients with PD treated with levodopa. Patients were assigned to receive Gocovri or placebo once daily. This lasted for 12 weeks.

At week 12, patients treated with Gocovri showed greater DYS and off period reductions than placebo. The average of DYS episodes in standard treatment was 1 per day for 0.6 hours and for the Gocovri group was 0.4 per day for 0.3 hours.  

The average duration of on-time without DYS episodes increased by 5 hours in the Gocovri group. The improvement in the placebo group was of 2 hours.

This study concluded that Gocovri treatment is associated with fewer and shorter episodes of both DYS and off-times.

This trial is based mostly on patient diaries. Further studies are needed for stronger evidence.

If you have concerns about PD treatments, please consult with your doctor.