Parkinson's Disease Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Parkinson's Disease, including details on symptoms, treatment, genetics, medication.

Rotigotine transdermal patch in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and restless legs syndrome.

Kenney C, Jankovic J

Parkinson's disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, 6550 Fannin, Suite 1801, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. kenney@bcm.edu

Dopamine agonists are effective in delaying levodopa-induced dyskinesia in early Parkinson's disease (PD) and reducing motor fluctuations in advanced PD. Rotigotine, a novel dopamine receptor agonist, improves motor function in both early and advanced PD using a transdermal route of administration. A smaller, but convincing body of data, supports its ability to ameliorate the symptoms of restless legs syndrome as well. The side-effect profile mimics other dopamine agonists, with the addition of application-site reactions, most of which are mild-to-moderate. Advantages over existing dopamine agonists include once-daily administration, absence of food interactions, maintenance of stable plasma levels and utility in patients with swallowing difficulties.

Published 12 June 2007 in Expert Opin Pharmacother, 8(9): 1329-35.
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