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Clinical Study of Droxidopa in Patients With Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH)

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Non-diabetic Neuropathy
Primary Autonomic Failure
Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase Deficiency
Symptomatic Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH)
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT00633880
Lead Sponsor
Chelsea Therapeutics
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to see whether droxidopa is effective in treating symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients with Primary Autonomic Failure (Pure Autonomic Failure, Multiple System Atrophy, Parkinson's Disease), Non-diabetic neuropathy, or Beta Hydroxylase deficiency.

Detailed Description

Systolic blood pressure is transiently and minimally decreased in healthy individuals upon standing. Normal physiologic feedback mechanisms work through neurally-mediated pathways to maintain the standing blood pressure, and thus maintain adequate cerebral perfusion. The compensatory mechanisms that regulate blood pressure upon standing are dysfunctional in subjects with orthostatic hypotension (OH), a condition that may lead to inadequate cerebral perfusion with accompanying symptoms of syncope, dizziness or lightheadedness, unsteadiness and blurred or impaired vision, among other symptoms.

The autonomic nervous system has a central role in the regulation of blood pressure. Primary Autonomic Failure is manifested in a variety of syndromes. Orthostatic hypotension is a usual presenting symptom. Primary Autonomic Failure may be the primary diagnosis, and classifications include pure autonomic failure (PAF), also called idiopathic orthostatic hypotension (Bradbury-Eggleston syndrome) autonomic failure with multiple system atrophy (Shy-Drager syndrome) and also Parkinson's disease. Regardless of the primary condition, autonomic dysfunction underlies orthostatic hypotension.

Orthostatic hypotension may be a severely disabling condition which can seriously interfere with the quality of life of afflicted subjects. Currently available therapeutic options provide some symptomatic relief in a subset of subjects, but are relatively ineffective and are often accompanied by severe side effects that limit their usefulness. Support garments (tight-fitting leotard) may prove useful in some subjects, but is difficult to don without family or nursing assistance, especially for older subjects. Midodrine, fludrocortisone, methylphenidate, ephedrine, indomethacin and dihydroergotamine are among some of the pharmacological interventions that have been used to treat orthostatic hypotension, although only midodrine is specifically approved for this indication. The limitations of these currently available therapeutic options, and the incapacitating nature and often progressive downhill course of disease, point to the need for an improved therapeutic alternative.

The current withdrawal design study will measure the efficacy of droxidopa on symptoms of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in patients randomized to continued droxidopa treatment versus placebo, following 14 days of double-blind treatment.

droxidopa

droxidopa \[also, known as L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine, L-threo-DOPS, or L-DOPS\] is the International non-proprietary name (INN) for a synthetic amino acid precursor of norepinephrine (NE), which was originally developed by Sumitomo Pharmaceuticals Co., Limited, Japan. It has been approved for use in Japan since 1989. Droxidopa has been shown to improve symptoms of orthostatic hypotension that result from a variety of conditions including Shy Drager syndrome (Multiple System Atrophy), Pure Autonomic Failure, and Parkinson's disease. There are four stereoisomers of DOPS; however, only the L-threo-enantiomer (droxidopa) is biologically active.

The exact mechanism of action of droxidopa in the treatment of symptomatic NOH has not been precisely defined; however, its NE replenishing properties with concomitant recovery of decreased noradrenergic activity are considered to be of major importance.

Droxidopa has been marketed in Japan since 1989. Data from clinical studies and post-marketing surveillance programs conducted in Japan show that the most commonly reported adverse drug reactions with droxidopa are increased blood pressure, nausea, and headache. In clinical studies, the prevalence and severity of droxidopa adverse effects appear to be similar to those reported by the placebo control arm.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
181
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
DroxidopaDroxidopaDouble-blind
PlaceboPlaceboDouble-blind
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Dizziness/ Lightheadedness/ Feeling Faint/ or Feeling Like You Might Blackout (OHSA Item 1)14 days

OHSA item 1 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Fatigue (OHSA Item 4)14 days

OHSA item 4 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Weakness (OHSA Item 3)14 days

OHSA item 3 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Vision (OHSA Item 2)14 days

OHSA item 2 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Concentration (OHSA Item 5)14 days

OHSA item 5 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Head/Neck Discomfort (OHSA Item 6)14 days

OHSA item 6 scale range: 0 (none) -10 (worst), likert scale. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Ability to Conduct Activities of Daily Living Score (OHDAS Composite Score)14 days

The OHDAS scale is the average of four items: 1) Standing for a short time; 2) Standing for a long time; 3) Walking for a short time; and 4) Walking for a long time. Each asks the patient to rate their disease impact over the past week. Each item is scored on a Likert scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most severe. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment Score (OHSA Composite)14 days

The OHSA scale is the average of six items: 1) Dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint or feeling like you might black out; 2) Problems with vision; 3) Weakness; 4) Fatigue; 5) Trouble concentrating; and 6) Head/neck discomfort. Each asks the patient to rate their symptoms over the past week. Each item is scored on a Likert scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most severe. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Scores Excluding Dizziness (OHSA Composite Items 2-6)14 days

OHSA composite scale (items 2-6) is the average of five OHSA items: 2) Problems with vision; 3) Weakness; 4) Fatigue; 5) Trouble concentrating; and 6) Head/neck discomfort. Each asks the patient to rate their symptoms over the past week. Each item is scored on a Likert scale from 0 to 10, with 10 being the most severe. Change: score at end of study minus score at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a positive score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Change in Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) Measurements 3 Minutes Post Standing;14 days

Change: standing systolic blood pressure at end of study minus standing systolic blood pressure at randomization. In this withdrawal design, a negative score indicates worsening during the double-blind randomized phase relative to value at randomization (on open-label drug) .

Trial Locations

Locations (54)

University of Maryland

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

The Parkinson's Institute

🇺🇸

Sunnyvale, California, United States

Parkinson's Disease & Movment Disorder Center

🇺🇸

Boca Raton, Florida, United States

Indiana Medical Research

🇺🇸

Elkhart, Indiana, United States

Pacific Neuroscience Medical Group

🇺🇸

Oxnard, California, United States

Mayo Jacksonville Florida Department of Neurology

🇺🇸

Jacksonville, Florida, United States

Cleveland Clinic

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Medical Associates of North Georgia

🇺🇸

Canton, Georgia, United States

The Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Institute

🇺🇸

Fountain Valley, California, United States

Mayo Clinic Rochester

🇺🇸

Rochester, Minnesota, United States

Southeastern Integrated Medical

🇺🇸

Gainesville, Florida, United States

Columbia University

🇺🇸

New York, New York, United States

Wake Forest University

🇺🇸

Winston Salem, North Carolina, United States

Jacinto Medical Group, PA

🇺🇸

Baytown, Texas, United States

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

NYU Medical Center

🇺🇸

New York City, New York, United States

Quebec Memory and Motor Skills Disorders Clinic

🇨🇦

Quebec, Canada

University of Miami

🇺🇸

Miami, Florida, United States

JWM Neurology

🇺🇸

Indianapolis, Indiana, United States

University of Cincinnati

🇺🇸

Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

Kansas City Bone and Joint, PA

🇺🇸

Overland Park, Kansas, United States

Electrophysiology Associates

🇺🇸

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

University of Rochester

🇺🇸

Rochester, New York, United States

University of Alabama at Birmingham

🇺🇸

Birmingham, Alabama, United States

The Oregon Clinic

🇺🇸

Portland, Oregon, United States

Xenoscience Inc.

🇺🇸

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

Duke University Medical Center

🇺🇸

Durham, North Carolina, United States

Vanderbilt University

🇺🇸

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

COR Clinical Research, LLC

🇺🇸

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States

Parkinson's & Neurodegenerative Disorders Clinic

🇨🇦

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

University Hospitals Case Medical Center

🇺🇸

Cleveland, Ohio, United States

Dedicated Clinical Research

🇺🇸

Litchfield Park, Arizona, United States

Saint Mary of Nazareth Hospital Center

🇺🇸

Chicago, Illinois, United States

North Chicago VA Medical Center

🇺🇸

North Chicago, Illinois, United States

New Jersey Neuroscience Institute

🇺🇸

Edison, New Jersey, United States

East Texas Medical Center

🇺🇸

Tyler, Texas, United States

Scott & White Healthcare - Round Rock

🇺🇸

Round Rock, Texas, United States

Austin Hospital

🇦🇺

Heidelburg, Australia

Royal Adelaide Hospital

🇦🇺

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Baker Heart Research Institute

🇦🇺

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Centre for Movement Disorders

🇨🇦

Markham, Ontario, Canada

McMaster University

🇨🇦

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

SMBD Jewish General Hospital

🇨🇦

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders

🇳🇿

Christchurch, New Zealand

Auckland Hospital

🇳🇿

Grafton Auckland, Private Bag, New Zealand

Washington University Medical Center

🇺🇸

St. Louis, Missouri, United States

Kingston Neurological Associates, PC

🇺🇸

Kingston, New York, United States

UT Southwestern Medical Center

🇺🇸

Dallas, Texas, United States

Scott & White Memorial Hospital & Clinic

🇺🇸

Temple, Texas, United States

University of Louisville

🇺🇸

Louisville, Kentucky, United States

University of Massachusetts Worcester

🇺🇸

Worcester, Massachusetts, United States

Henry Ford Health System

🇺🇸

Southfield, Michigan, United States

Sun Health Research Institute

🇺🇸

Sun City, Arizona, United States

University of South Florida

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

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