A Comprehensive Monograph on Rotigotine (Neupro®): Pharmacology, Clinical Efficacy, and Therapeutic Profile

Introduction and Overview

Executive Summary

Rotigotine is a second-generation, non-ergoline dopamine agonist that occupies a distinct position in the therapeutic armamentarium for specific neurological disorders.[1] Marketed globally under the brand name Neupro®, its defining characteristic is its formulation as a once-daily transdermal therapeutic system (TTS), or "patch".[3] This delivery system is designed to provide continuous, non-fluctuating plasma concentrations of the drug over a 24-hour period.[1] The primary approved indications for Rotigotine are the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) and the symptomatic management of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).[7] As a small molecule drug, Rotigotine acts by directly stimulating dopamine receptors in the brain, thereby substituting for the depleted endogenous neurotransmitter in pathological states.[9] Its unique delivery method and broad receptor binding profile differentiate it from other therapies, presenting both distinct advantages and a specific set of clinical and manufacturing challenges that have shaped its development and therapeutic application.

The Concept of Continuous Dopaminergic Stimulation (CDS)