Northera (Droxidopa) for low blood pressure and dizziness in Parkinson's disease.

We were pleased to see the announcement on the availability of Northera (Droxidopa) for low blood pressure and dizziness in Parkinson's disease. In its approval, the FDA highlighted the fact that dizziness upon standing that can occur in people with Parkinson’s disease and is an unmet need and may contribute to falling and fractures.

If you, in consultation with your doctor, believe you may benefit from this drug, it will be available only through specialty pharmacies and your doctor will it have to complete a special form to prescribe it. Please call NPF's Helpline, 1-800-4PD-INFO for more information or visit http://www.drugs.com/northera.html.

Northera Information from Drugs.com

Northera (droxidopa) is used to treat neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Includes Northera side effects, interactions and indications. DRUGS.COM

FDA Approves NortheraThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval of Northera (droxidopa) for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, or the “feeling that you are about to black out” in adult patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH), a rare, chronic and often debilitating drop in blood pressure upon standing that is associated with Parkinson's disease, multiple-system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure.

What is Northera?

Northera is a synthetic amino acid analog that is directly metabolized to norepinephrine, a vasopressor. Norepinephrine causes constriction (tightening) of the blood vessels which leads to an increase in blood pressure.

Northera is used to treat neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, reat a rare, chronic condition characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure when a person stands.

What is the most important information I should know?

Northera may cause an excessive increase in blood pressure when lying down (supine hypertension), which could lead to strokes, heart attacks and death. You must rest and sleep with your upper-body in an elevated position while you are taking this medicine. You should also monitor your blood pressure regularly.

Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience an unusual awareness of heartbeats, pounding in the ears, headache, or blurred vision. These may be signs of increased blood pressure.

In some cases, increased blood pressure may cause a slowed heart rate. Contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention if you experience decreased pulse rate, increased dizziness, fainting, or an unusual awareness of heartbeats. These may be signs of a slowed heart rate.

Northera can cause elevated blood pressure when lying down. The last dose should be taken at least three hours before bedtime. If you are going to be lying down for any length of time during the day, you may need to skip a dose. Talk to your doctor about how to take Northera if you lie down during the day.

Other prescription and over-the-counter medicines may cause an increase in blood pressure , which may be dangerous when taken with Northera. Do not take any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal products especially cough, cold, or allergy products, weight loss products, asthma or respiratory medicines, migraine headache medicines, heart or blood pressure medicines, or antidepressants without first talking to your doctor.