Ontilyv

Ontilyv is a medicine used to treat adults with Parkinson’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that causes shaking and muscle stiffness, and slows movement. Ontilyv is used as an add-on in patients who are having fluctuations in the ability to move while being treated with combination medicines for Parkinson’s disease that contain levodopa and a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor (DDCI). Fluctuations happen when the effects of the combination medication wear off and symptoms re-emerge before the next dose is due. They are linked to a reduction in the effect of levodopa. During these motor fluctuations the patient experiences sudden switches between being ‘on’ and able to move, and being ‘off’ and having difficulty moving about. Ontilyv is used when these fluctuations cannot be treated with the standard levodopa‑containing combinations alone. This medicine is the same as Ongentys, which is already authorised in the EU. The company that makes Ongentys has agreed that its scientific data can be used for Ontilyv (‘informed consent’). Ontilyv contains the active substance opicapone.