Clinical trial NCT03115827
Conditions: Parkinson Disease
Sponsor: Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Start date: 2017-04-18; Completion date: 2018-12-21
Enrollment: 15 participants; Allocation: NA; Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to find out whether droxidopa, a medication that increases norepinephrine levels, may be effective in improving some aspects of cognition and movement in Parkinson's disease (PD).

Detailed description:
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1 million people in the United States. PD causes a variety of disabling symptoms, which impact movement as well as cognition. Historically, we have relied on medications that increase dopamine levels to treat PD, although we are recognizing more and more that other chemicals in the brain are involved in PD as well.

Droxidopa (Northera) is an approved drug for the treatment of low blood pressure in PD. It is a norepinephrine precursor, which is converted in the body to the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This is a chemical that the body normally makes that has a variety of important activities in the brain and peripheral nervous system. In PD, the cells that make norepinephrine die off as part of the disease process. Therefore, people with PD often have low levels of norepinephrine in their blood and in their spinal fluid. Norepinephrine is important for maintaining blood pressure, which may be one reason that some people with PD have problems with their blood pressure falling too low when they stand up. This can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint, or sometimes passing out.

Droxidopa has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of low blood pressure in Parkinson's disease. However, as norepinephrine is also important for a lot of processes that happen in the brain as well, we believe that this medication may be also helpful for some of the other symptoms of PD. In particular, norepinephrine plays a key role in brain networks that are important for attention, decision making, and controlling movements and actions. In order for norepinephrine to reach the brain, it must cross the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, in this study we will be giving droxidopa along with carbidopa, which stops your body from breaking down norepinephrine in the blood stream and allows it to get into the brain. This is a medication that is often given in Parkinson's disease along with levodopa in the form of carbidopa-levodopa, or Sinemet. This medication works the same way with levodopa in helping it get into the brain and improve the symptoms of PD. The only difference is that levodopa works like the chemical dopamine, whereas droxidopa works like norepinephrine. Up to this point, we have not had a way to correct the low norepinephrine levels in Parkinson's disease. Therefore, this study gives us the chance to investigate the effectiveness of a potential new treatment for PD patients.

Arms: arm 1: Droxidopa 600mg by mouth twice a day and carbidopa 200mg by mouth twice a day for 4 weeks
Interventions: intervention 1: Droxidopa intervention 2: Carbidopa
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Droxidopa will be started at 100mg twice a day and titrated up to a maximum of 600mg twice a day intervention 2: Carbidopa 200mg twice a day

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
  
 
 
 
FULL PROTOCOL TITLE 
 
Norepinephrine-targeted therapy for Action Control in Parkinson Disease 
 
 
 
Study Chair: 
 
Katherine E. McDonell, MD 
Vanderbilt University Medical Center 
 
 
 
Supported by: 
 
American Academy of Neurology 
Clinical Research Training Fellowship 
 
 
Study Intervention Provided by: 
 
Lundbeck 
 
 
 
Sponsor of IND (IDE): 
 
 
n/a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
SYNOPSIS ………..………………………………………………………………………………. 
 
1. 
STUDY OBJECTIVES …………………………………………………………………... 
 
1.1 Primary Objective ………………………………………………………….………….. 
1.2 Secondary Objectives ..………………………………………………………..……….. 
 
2.         BACKGROUND ……………………………………………………………………...…..  
 
2.1.1 Rationale ………...…………………………………………………………………..… 
2.1.2 Supporting Data …… ………………………………….……………………………… 
 
 
3. 
STUDY DESIGN ……………………………………………………………...………….. 
 
4.         SELECTION AND ENROLLMENT OF SUBJECTS ……………………...…………. 
 
 
4.1 
Inclusion Criteria ……………………………………………………………..……….. 
 
4.2 
Exclusion Criteria ………………………………………………………………..……. 
 
4.3 
Study Enrollment Procedures ………………………………………………….……… 
 
5.         STUDY INTERVENTIONS ………………………………………………….…………. 
 
 
5.1 
Interventions, Administration, and Duration ...……………………………….……….. 
 
5.2 
Handling of Study Interventions ……………………………………………….……… 
 
5.3 
Concomitant Interventions ……………………………………………………….……. 
 
5.4 
Adherence Assessment ………………………………………………………………... 
 
6.         CLINICAL AND LABORATORY EVALUATIONS …………………………………. 
 
 
6.1 
Schedule of Evaluations …………………………………………………….…………. 
 
6.2 
Timing of Evaluations ………………………………………………………….……… 
 
6.3 
Special Instructions and Definitions of Evaluations ………………………….……….. 
 
 
 
7.          MANAGEMENT OF ADVERSE EXPERIENCES ……...……………………...……. 
 
8.          CRITERIA FOR INTERVENTION DISCONTINUATION ………………...………. 
 
9.          STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS …………………………………………...…….. 
 
 
9.1 
General Design Issues ………………………………………………………..………... 
 
9.2 
Outcomes ……………………………………………………………………...………. 
 
9.3 
Sample Size and Accrual ……………………………………………………..……….. 


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9.4 
Data Monitoring ………………………………………………………………..……... 
 
9.5 
Data Analyses …………………………………………………………………...…….. 
 
10.          DATA COLLECTION, SITE MONITORING, AND ADVERSE EXPERIENCE    
               REPORTING …………………………………………………………………………... 
 
 
10.1 
Records to be Kept ………………………………………………………………..…… 
 
10.2 
Role of Data Management ………………………………………………………..…… 
 
10.3 
Quality Assurance …………………………………………………………………...… 
 
10.4 
Adverse Experience Reporting ……………………………………………………..…. 
 
11.          HUMAN SUBJECTS ……………………………………………………………..……. 
 
 
11.1 
Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review and Informed Consent ………………...….. 
 
11.2 
Subject Confidentiality …………………………………………………………..……. 
 
11.3 
Study Modification/Discontinuation ………………………………………….…..…… 
 
12.          PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS ………………………………...…….. 
 
13.          REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………...……….. 
 
 
 
14. 
   APPENDICES 
 
Appendix A: Northera Prescribing Information  
Appendix B:  Carbidopa Prescribing Information 
Appendix C:  UK Parkinson Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria 
Appendix D: Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Parts 2 and 3 and Items 33 and 39 
(Part 4) 
Appendix E:  Hoehn and Yahr Staging 
Appendix F:  Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Versions 7.1 (Original), 7.2 (Alternate), and 7.3 
(Alternate) 
Appendix G: GDS-15 symptoms score 
Appendix H: FrSBe Scale 
Appendix I: 
Brand names for allowed and disallowed medications 
 
 
 


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  SYNOPSIS 
 
Study Title 
Norepinephrine-targeted therapy for Action Control in Parkinson Disease 
 
Objectives 
 
Primary Objective: To assess the safety and tolerability of droxidopa combined with carbidopa in a 
Parkinson disease cohort 
 
Secondary Objectives:  
a) To determine the optimal dosing regimen for combined droxidopa and carbidopa therapy in this 
patient population 
b) To explore the effects of central norepinephrine repletion on action control in Parkinson’s disease 
patients 
 
Design and Outcomes  
This is an 11-week, prospective, open label, safety and tolerability study evaluating high doses of 
carbidopa with concomitant droxidopa therapy in PD. The study will consist of an initial screening and 
baseline period, followed by a one week treatment period on carbidopa alone. This will then be followed 
by a 3 week treatment period on droxidopa and carbidopa, followed by a one month washout. 
Patients will be enrolled into the study at the Screening visit if they meet the inclusion criteria (see 
Section 4.1). UPDRS scales will be performed by a trained site rater in order to determine PD subtype. 
Those who are classified as PIGD based on UPDRS motor score will be enrolled and will undergo 
cognitive and gait assessments at the Baseline Visit. They will then begin carbidopa therapy as described 
above. 
Patients will return to the clinic at Week 3 for repeat cognitive and gait assessments. Droxidopa titration 
will be initiated at this point. Patients will then return at Weeks 5 and 7 for repeat testing. Droxidopa 
will then be tapered and patients will return for one final visit after a one month washout period. 
Patients who withdraw from the study before completion of the 11-week evaluation period will have 
final assessments performed at their final visit. 
Baseline PD medications should remain unchanged throughout the study. The total dose of carbidopa, 
from baseline medications and supplemental dosing, should remain constant. 
 
 
 


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Interventions and Duration 
 
The study drug is Northera (droxidopa), to be given along with carbidopa, a dopa decarboxylase 
inhibitor. 
 
Following the Screening/Baseline visit, patients will be started on carbidopa alone. Those who are not 
already taking a carbidopa-containing medication (i.e. carbidopa-levodopa) will be started on 200mg 
BID. For those who are on a carbidopa-containing medication, the necessary supplemental dose will be 
calculated in order to increase their total dose to 200mg BID, or a total of 400mg per day. This dosing 
regimen will continued for the duration of the study in order to maximize the central bioavailability of 
droxidopa and to limit peripheral effects. 
 
After one week patients will return for Visit 1 and will have repeat cognitive testing to ensure all 
measures remain stable. Droxidopa titration will then be initiated. Droxidopa will be supplied in 100mg 
tablets. Dosing will start at 100mg BID and will be increased by 100mg BID every day for 6 days, up to 
a maximum of 600mg BID. If at any point patients develop adverse effects, the dose will be decreased 
back to the maximum tolerated dose.  
 
Treatment with droxidopa and carbidopa at the maximum tolerated dose will be continued for an 
additional 3 weeks after the titration, followed by a one month washout period. 
 
Subjects will be monitored for adverse events and safety outcomes throughout the study period. 
Cognitive testing and gait assessments will occur at weeks 3, 5, 7, and 11. 
 
Sample Size and Population 
 
Fifteen adult idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) patients identified as postural instability-gait difficulty 
(PIGD subtype) will be enrolled. 


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1 
STUDY OBJECTIVES 
Primary Objective 
 
Primary Objective: To assess the safety and tolerability of droxidopa combined with carbidopa in a 
Parkinson disease cohort. 
 
Primary Hypothesis: Combination droxidopa and carbidopa therapy will be safe and tolerable 
(defined as adverse events leading to discontinuation in less than or equal to 20% of subjects) in 
this cohort of Parkinson disease patients. 
 
Secondary Objectives 
 
 
Secondary Objectives:  
a) To determine the optimal dosing regimen for combined droxidopa and carbidopa therapy in this 
patient population. 
b) To explore the effects of central norepinephrine repletion on action control in Parkinson’s disease 
patients. 
 
2 
BACKGROUND 
Rationale 
 
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects 1 million people in the 
United States. PD causes a variety of disabling symptoms, which impact movement as well as cognition. 
Many of the symptoms of PD can be attributed to loss of dopaminergic neurons, although other 
neurotransmitter systems are affected as well. Historically, much of the treatment of PD has focused on 
dopamine repletion. This can be effective for some of the symptoms of PD, such as rigidity and 
bradykinesia, although it is quite ineffective for others, including gait and cognitive dysfunction. One 
possible reason for this may be non-dopamine mediated degeneration affecting other neurotransmitter 
systems including acetylcholine and norepinephrine. Norepinephrine, in particular, is measurably 
deficient in PD patients and is critical for a number of processes which are affected by PD, including 
attention and action control. Deficits in action control lead to an inability to inhibit impulsive actions, 
which can result in a variety of manifestations, including gait dysfunction and falls. These symptoms 
can be disabling and are notoriously resistant to dopamine replacement therapy. 
 
Previously we have not been able to directly investigate the effects of central norepinephrine repletion in 
PD, but the recent approval of droxidopa, a norepinephrine precursor, presents a novel opportunity to 
address this question. The primary goal of this small, single-arm study will be to assess the safety and 
tolerability of droxidopa combined with carbidopa, a DOPA decarboxylase inhibitor which allows 
droxidopa to cross the blood-brain barrier. We will also include several exploratory measures to 
investigate the effects of centrally-targeted droxidopa therapy on action control in PD patients, using 


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several well-validated cognitive assessments as well as a computerized gait assessment. We will also 
include measures of autonomic function and imaging data. 
 
Our overarching hypothesis is that norepinephrine targeted therapy will be well-tolerated in our PD 
cohort and will have the potential to improve motor control symptoms characterized by action 
impulsivity, motor inhibition, and reaction time. 
 
Noradrenergic neurons are located in the locus coeruleus (LC) and have widespread projections to the 
cortex, basal forebrain, limbic system, thalamus, and cerebellum, including key prefrontal areas 
involved in inhibitory action control. It has long been recognized that locus coeruleus neurons 
degenerate in PD, and Lewy body pathology is found in the LC at autopsy in PD patients (1). In fact, 
studies have shown that degeneration in the LC is comparable to and may even precede the degeneration 
of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (2). Furthermore, the cerebrospinal fluid of PD patients 
contains measurably lower levels of norepinephrine (3) as well as dopamine beta-hydroxylase, the key 
enzyme for norepinephrine synthesis (4). 
 
Norepinephrine (NE) is essential for a wide range of functions in the nervous system, and its deficiency 
in PD may underlie a number of symptoms in this disease, particularly those which tend to respond 
poorly to dopaminergic therapy. One critical process in which NE has been shown to play a central role 
is action control (5,6). This refers to the ability to select and perform an appropriate action while 
effectively inhibiting inappropriate ones. Impaired action control is a well-recognized feature of PD 
which often emerges relatively early in the disease process and can lead to significant disability. 
Previous work from our lab has shown that impairments in action control are associated with greater 
postural instability, fall risk, and a marker of worsening disease severity in PD (7,8). The network 
underlying action control relies on a well-described motor-inhibitory circuit, which includes the dorsal 
lateral prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and subthalamic nucleus. The LC projects directly to this circuit 
and its noradrenergic inputs modulate its activity. Therefore, NE deficiency in PD is likely a major 
factor in the impaired inhibitory control seen in these patients. As impairments in action control are 
closely linked to gait dysfunction in PD, correcting this NE deficiency would be expected to have a 
direct influence on gait as well. 
 
Several previous studies have investigated the effects of norepinephrine on gait. Animal studies have 
shown that mice deficient in NE show significantly greater motor impairment when exposed to MPTP, a 
toxin which creates a PD phenotype, than do control mice (9). In addition, a few small studies in PD 
patients have found that methylphenidate, a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, may have 
beneficial effects on freezing and gait (10,11,12). A review by Devos et al in 2013 suggested that 
methylphenidate may improve freezing of gait as well as apathy (13). Most of these were short term 
investigations, but another study by Devos et al in 2007 evaluated the use of high dose methylphenidate 
over a 3 month period in a group of 17 patients and found improvements in gait and motor symptoms in 
the absence of levodopa, with enhanced improvement on levodopa (14). The authors suggest that 
interactions between the norepinephrine and dopamine systems as well as increased norepinephrine in 
frontal networks could be responsible for these effects. 
 
As previously referenced, some studies from Japan in the 1980-90’s have suggested that treatment with 
L-threo-34-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) improves freezing of gait (15,16). Finally, during the 


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approval process for droxidopa in the US, a decreased rate of falls was reported in PD patients treated 
with droxidopa vs. placebo in one preliminary study (17). 
 
The possibility that norepinephrine replacement may have a positive impact on action control and gait in 
PD is promising but remains to be proven. With the approval of droxidopa in the U.S., we now have a 
unique opportunity to study the central effects of norepinephrine and to directly assess its role in PD. 
The primary goal of the proposed study is to examine the safety and tolerability of droxidopa combined 
with carbidopa in a cohort of PD patients. Secondary measures will include several well-studied 
cognitive tasks to assess the effects of centrally-targeted norepinephrine on action control. 
Supporting Data 
 
Northera (droxidopa) is indicated for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness or lightheadedness in adult 
patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by Parkinson’s disease, multiple 
system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic 
autonomic neuropathy (refer to Appendix A for prescribing information).  
 
The safety of Northera was evaluated in two 1- to 2-week placebo-controlled studies (Studies 301 and 
302), one 8-week placebo-controlled study (Study 306), and two long-term, open label extension studies 
(Studies 303 and 304). The placebo-controlled studies included a total of 485 patients with Parkinson’s 
disease, multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, or 
non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy. 245 patients received Northera and 240 received placebo. The long-
term, open-label extension studies included a total of 422 patients who were treated with Northera for a 
mean duration of approximately one year. 
 
In the placebo-controlled trials, the most commonly observed adverse reactions (occurring in greater 
than 5% of patients in the Northera group and with at least a 3% greater incidence than in the placebo 
group) were headache, dizziness, nausea, and hypertension. Hypertension and nausea were the most 
common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation of Northera. In the long-term, open-label extension 
studies, the most commonly reported adverse events were falls (24%), urinary tract infections (15%), 
headache (13%), syncope (13%), and dizziness (10%). 
 
The efficacy of Northera in the treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) 
was evaluated in clinical studies 301 and 306B.  
 
Study 306B enrolled 171 patients with symptomatic NOH and PD. 147 patients were included in the 
efficacy analysis. This was a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group 
study which consisted of an initial dose titration period of up to 2 weeks, followed by an 8-week 
treatment period. Patients were randomized to receive placebo or 100 to 600mg of Northera three times 
a day during the titration period and were continued on a stable dose during the treatment period. 
Efficacy was measured by the change in dizziness score (“dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint, and 
feeling like you might black out”) from baseline to Week 1 in patients who had completed titration and 1 
week of maintenance therapy. The baseline dizziness score was the same in both groups prior to 
titration. At Week 1 there was a statistically significant decrease in dizziness score in the Northera 
treatment group vs. placebo (p=0.028), but this effect did not persist beyond Week 1. The lowest systolic 


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blood pressure after 3 minutes of standing also increased more in patients receiving Northera than 
placebo (p=0.032). 
 
Study 301 enrolled a total of 122 patients with symptomatic NOH due to Parkinson’s disease (n=60), 
pure autonomic failure (n=36), or multiple system atrophy (n=26). This was a multi-center, 
multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study which consisted of an 
initial open-label dose titration period, a 7-day washout period, and a randomized double-blind 7-day 
treatment period. Only patients who were identified as “responders” during the titration period 
(improvement by at least 1 point on the dizziness score, as well as an increase in standing systolic blood 
pressure by at least 10 mm Hg) were included in the randomized treatment phase. A statistically 
significant treatment effect was not found on the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (p=0.19), but 
there was a significant decrease in dizziness score after Week 1 of treatment in the Northera treatment 
group vs. placebo (p=0.06). 
 
Two additional studies evaluated the effectiveness of Northera beyond 2 weeks. Study 302 was a 
placebo-controlled, 2-week randomized study of 101 patients with symptomatic NOH. Study 303 was an 
extension of studies 301 and 302 in which 75 patients were continued on maintenance dose Northera for 
3 months, followed by a 2-week randomized withdrawal phase. Neither of these studies showed a 
statistically significant difference in the efficacy of Northera as compared with placebo beyond 2 weeks. 
 
A few previous studies have examined the effects of Northera on gait, although this is an area which 
warrants further investigation. Study 306A compared scores on the Orthostatic Hypotension 
Questionnaire (OHQ) as well as dizziness/lightheadedness score and patient-reported falls between a 
group of 24 patients treated with droxidopa and a group of 27 patients treated with placebo. In this study 
no significant difference was found in OHQ score, but the droxidopa group reported a 50% lower rate of 
falls (p=0.04) and fall-related injuries. In addition, several studies from Japan in the 1980-90’s have 
suggested that treatment with L-threo-34-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) improves freezing of gait 
(15,16). 
 
Known and Potential Risks and Benefits for Droxidopa 
 
The most commonly observed adverse reactions in the placebo-controlled safety and efficacy trials 
described above were headache, dizziness, nausea, and hypertension. Longer term open-label studies 
also reported falls, urinary tract infections, headache, syncope, and dizziness.  
 
Northera carries four specific warnings on its label. The first states that Northera may cause or 
exacerbate supine hypertension in patients with symptomatic NOH. Patients are advised to elevate the 
head of the bed while resting or sleeping, and to monitor blood pressure in both the supine position and 
the head elevated position. Northera should be reduced or discontinued if supine hypertension persists 
despite these measures. 
 
The second warning pertains to a symptom complex of hyperpyrexia and confusion resembling 
neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Cases of this syndrome have been reported in Japan during post-
marketing surveillance. Symptoms may include fever or hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, involuntary 
movements, altered consciousness, and mental status changes. 
 


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The third warning listed on the Northera label states that there is a risk of exacerbating existing ischemic 
heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.  
 
The final warning reports a risk of allergic reaction in patients with sensitivity to tartrazine (FD&C 
Yellow No. 5). This is rare but frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity. 
 
Northera is listed as pregnancy category C. There are no adequate and well-controlled trials of this 
medication in pregnant women. Animal studies have suggested increased incidences of lower body 
weight and occurrence of undulant rib in fat fetuses, although these spontaneously reversed after birth. 
Shortening of the gestation period was also noted at high doses (600mg/kg/day). Low incidences of 
renal lesions were also observed in female rats treated with droxidopa during the period of fetal 
organogenesis.  
 
Nursing is contraindicated with Northera. Droxidopa is excreted in breast milk in rats and has been 
found to be associated with reduced weight gain and reduced survival in offspring. 
 
Additional information regarding the risks and benefits of droxidopa treatment may be found in the 
current Northera prescribing information. 
 
Known and Potential Risks and Benefits for Carbidopa 
 
Carbidopa (Lodosyn) is an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation. It is indicated for use with 
levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in order to inhibit the peripheral metabolism of 
levodopa, thus allowing more levodopa to enter the central nervous system and reducing the rates of 
nausea and vomiting.  
 
Carbidopa alone has not been associated with any adverse effects. When administered in combination 
with levodopa, the most common adverse reactions include dyskinesias and nausea. Other reported 
adverse reactions include delusions, hallucinations, impulse control behaviors, and depression. 
Convulsions have also occurred although a causal relationship has not been established.  
 
Additional warnings listed for patients taking carbidopa-levodopa combination products include a risk of 
somnolence with occasional episodes of suddenly falling asleep, as well as sporadic cases of a symptom 
complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Some patients taking carbidopa-levodopa 
products have reported suddenly falling asleep while engaged in daily activities, sometimes without 
prior warning. Some of these cases have occurred during driving, resulting in motor vehicle accidents. 
Patients should be screened for pre-existing drowsiness as well as other factors that may increase the 
risk of somnolence, such as sedating medications and sleep disorders. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome 
has been reported in association with dose reductions or discontinuation of dopaminergic agents 
including carbidopa-levodopa combination products. Patients should be monitored closely for any 
symptoms resembling this syndrome during dose changes or withdrawal of this medication. 
 
Additional information regarding the risks and benefits of droxidopa treatment may be found in the 
current Lodosyn prescribing information. 
 
 


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Known and Potential Risks and Benefits for Droxidopa Combined with Carbidopa 
 
As Northera is a synthetic amino acid analog that is metabolized to norepinephrine by dopa-
decarboxylase, co-administration along with a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor such as carbidopa would be 
expected to inhibit its peripheral metabolism, reducing peripheral effects such as hypertension and 
increasing its central activity. While there have not yet been any studies to our knowledge specifically 
investigating the effects of combining droxidopa with carbidopa, many of the patients enrolled in the 
safety and efficacy studies for Northera were exposed to both concomitantly, given the very common 
usage of carbidopa-levodopa in Parkinson’s disease. 88% of the 171 patients enrolled in Study 306B and 
45% of the 122 patients in Study 301 were taking a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor, representing a total of 
210 patients. No difference in adverse reactions was reported in these patients as compared with the rest 
of the study population. 
 
Administering droxidopa along with carbidopa would be expected to be associated with a reduced risk 
of hypertension as compared with droxidopa alone, as this is a peripheral effect resulting from arterial 
and venous vasoconstriction induced directly by norepinephrine. Therefore, inhibiting the peripheral 
metabolism of droxidopa will limit these effects and increase the central activity of norepinephrine. In 
the studies performed thus far, no additional adverse events have been reported in those patients treated 
with droxidopa along with carbidopa as compared with droxidopa alone, although further investigation 
is warranted. The proposed study will therefore provide valuable clinical experience to better elucidate 
the effects of centrally-targeted norepinephrine. 
 
Selection of Drugs and Dosages 
 
Northera is available in 100mg, 200mg, and 300mg capsules. The recommended starting dose is 100mg 
three times daily, with the last dose at least 3 hours prior to bedtime. The dosing is titrated to 
symptomatic response in increments of 100mg three times daily every 24 to 48 hours. The maximum 
dose is 600mg three times daily. 
 
Carbidopa is available in 25mg tablets. When given along with levodopa it is typically dosed in a 
carbidopa to levodopa ratio ranging from 1:10 to 1:4, depending on therapeutic response. The typical 
recommended total daily dose of carbidopa is 75mg to 200mg, although studies have shown that doses 
up to 450mg/day are well-tolerated and may further improve the response to levodopa (Brod et al, 
2013). No cases of carbidopa overdose have been reported. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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3 
STUDY DESIGN 
 
This is an 11-week, prospective, open label, safety and tolerability study evaluating high doses of 
carbidopa with concomitant droxidopa therapy in PD. The study consists of an initial screening and 
baseline period, followed by a one week treatment period on carbidopa alone. This will then be followed 
by a 3 week treatment period on droxidopa and carbidopa, followed by a one month washout. 
 
 
 
Each subject will participate in six visits over the course of this trial, as summarized in the figure below. 
 
 
 
Patients will be enrolled into the study at the Screening visit if they meet the inclusion criteria outlined 
below. UPDRS scales will be performed by a trained site rater in order to determine PD subtype. Those 
who are classified as PIGD based on UPDRS motor score will be enrolled and will undergo cognitive 
and gait assessments at the Baseline Visit. 
 
After the Baseline Visit, each subject will be started on a stable dose of carbidopa to reach a total of 
200mg BID. This will be continued for the next week until Study Visit 1. At this visit, repeat cognitive 
assessments (Stop-Signal, Simon, and Attentional blink tasks) and a gait assessment will be performed. 
Orthostatic vital signs will also be measured.  
 
Each subject will then undergo titration of droxidopa to the maximum tolerated dose with a target of 
600mg BID. Dosing will start at 100mg BID and will be increased by 100mg BID every day for 6 days, 
up to a maximum of 600mg BID. If at any point patients develop adverse effects, the dose will be 
decreased back to the maximum tolerated dose. 200mg of carbidopa will also be given with each dose of 
droxidopa, for a total daily dose of 400mg, to maximize central bioavailability and limit peripheral 
effects. 
 
Study Visit 2 will take place one week after each patient is stabilized on the maximum tolerated dose of 
droxidopa (goal 600mg BID). Study Visit 3 will take place two weeks after Study Visit 2, after patients 
have been on maintenance therapy for a total of 3 weeks. Each of these visits will consist of the same 
assessments as Study Visit 1, including cognitive and gait assessments and orthostatic vital signs. 
 


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After Study Visit 3 has been completed, each subject will be tapered off droxidopa and carbidopa. The 
final visit will take place after a one month washout period and will again include cognitive testing and a 
gait assessment. 
 
4 
SELECTION AND ENROLLMENT OF SUBJECTS 
Inclusion Criteria 
 
Patients will be included in the study if all of the following criteria are met: 
a. 
Nondemented man or woman 18 years of age or older with idiopathic PD based on the UK 
Parkinson Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (refer to Appendix C for the 
criteria) 
b. 
Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores OFF medication consistent with 
PIGD subtype 
c. 
Symptoms of freezing or falls 
d. 
Able to walk at least 10 meters 
e. 
Medically stable outpatient, based on the investigator’s judgment 
f. 
The patient must be willing and able to give written informed consent prior to performing any 
study procedures. 
 
Exclusion Criteria 
Patients are excluded from participating in this study if one or more of the following criteria are met: 
a. Score of 21 or lower on MOCA 
b. Sustained supine hypertension greater than or equal to 180 mmHg systolic or 110mmHg 
diastolic, or have these measurements at their Baseline Visit (Visit 2). Sustained is defined as 
measurements persistently greater at 2 separate measurements at least 10 minutes apart with the 
subject supine and at rest for at least 5 minutes. 
c. Concomitant use of vasoconstricting agents such as ephedrine, dihydroergotamine, or 
midodrine.  Concomitant use of other noradrenergic medications, such as serotonin-
norepinpehrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI’s) is also contraindicated. Patients must stop taking 
these drugs at least 2 days or 5 half-lives (whichever is longer) prior to their baseline visit and 
throughout the duration of the study. 
d. Diagnosis of hypertension that requires treatment with antihypertensive medications  (short-
acting antihypertensives to treat nocturnal supine hypertension are allowed in this study) 
e. Women of childbearing potential 
f. Any significant uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia 
g. History of myocardial infarction, within the past 2 years 
h. Current unstable angina 
i. Congestive heart failure (NYHA Class 3 or 4) 
j. History of cancer within the past 2 years other than a successfully treated, non-metastatic 
cutaneous squamous cell or basal cell carcinoma or cervical cancer in situ 
k. History of stroke 
l. Gastrointestinal condition that may affect the absorption of study drug (e.g., ulcerative colitis, 
gastric bypass) 


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m. Musculoskeletal disorders such as severe arthritis, post knee surgery, hip surgery, or any other 
condition that the investigators determine may impair assessment of gait 
n. History of myocardial infarction, uncontrolled cardiac arrhythmia, unstable angina, congestive 
heart failure, or stroke 
o. Untreated closed angle glaucoma 
p. Musculoskeletal or other disorders that may impair assessment of gait 
q. Any major surgical procedure within 30 days prior to the Baseline visit 
r. Previously treated with droxidopa within 30 days prior to the Baseline visit 
s. Currently receiving any other investigational drug or have received an investigational drug 
within 60 days prior to the Baseline visit 
t. Known or suspected alcohol or substance abuse within the past 12 months (DSM-IV definition 
of alcohol or substance abuse) 
u. Any condition or laboratory test result, which in the Investigator's judgment, might result in an 
increased risk to the patient, or would affect their participation in the study. 
Study Enrollment Procedures 
Prospective participants will be selected from the existing patient population of the Movement Disorders 
Clinic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. They will be selected during a regular standard of care 
visit. 
At a standard of care visit, patients will be screened by their respective physicians. Those who are 
identified as being able to participate will be referred over to the investigator. The investigator will 
confirm eligibility of participants using the Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria. Each patient must be willing 
and able to give written informed consent prior to performing any study procedures. An informed 
consent form will be approved by the Vanderbilt IRB. The principal investigator will explain the consent 
form to the potential participant, including the rationale for the study, the procedures involved, the 
duration of participation, and the potential risks and benefits involved. Privacy will be provided per 
HIPAA and standard of care procedures. If the subject chooses to proceed with the study, the informed 
consent form will then be signed. 
A screening log will be maintained in order to document how each subject learned about the trial, 
reasons for ineligibility, and any reasons for nonparticipation of eligible subjects. This information will 
be collected and stored confidentially and will be utilized in order to enhance recruitment efforts. 
 
5 
STUDY INTERVENTIONS 
Interventions, Administration, and Duration 
 
The study drug is Northera (droxidopa), to be given along with carbidopa, a dopa decarboxylase 
inhibitor. 
 
Following the Screening/Baseline visit, patients will be started on carbidopa alone. Those who are not 
already taking a carbidopa-containing medication (i.e. carbidopa-levodopa) will be started on 200mg 
BID. For those who are on a carbidopa-containing medication, the necessary supplemental dose will be 


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calculated in order to increase their total dose to 200mg BID, or a total of 400mg per day. This dosing 
regimen will continued for the duration of the study in order to maximize the central bioavailability of 
droxidopa and to limit peripheral effects. 
 
After one week patients will return for Visit 1 and will have repeat cognitive testing to ensure all 
measures remain stable. Droxidopa titration will then be initiated. Droxidopa will be supplied in 100mg 
tablets. Dosing will start at 100mg BID and will be increased by 100mg BID every day for 6 days, up to 
a maximum of 600mg BID. If at any point patients develop adverse effects, the dose will be decreased 
back to the maximum tolerated dose.  
 
Treatment with droxidopa and carbidopa at the maximum tolerated dose will be continued for an 
additional 3 weeks after the titration, followed by a washout period. If a dose is missed, the next dose 
should be taken at the usual time on the following day. The patient should not double-up the dose of the 
study drug. 
 
Study drug will be packaged in bottles and provided to the patients to be administered at home. The 
study drug will be dispensed to the patient at the study center by a person authorized by the study 
investigator at each scheduled visit. 
Handling of Study Interventions 
 
Lundbeck is responsible for the manufacturing of the droxidopa capsules. 
 
During the titration phase, patients will be started on 100mg twice daily. The dose will be increased in 
increments of 100mg BID each day to a maximum dose of 600mg BID. 
 
Packaging, labeling, and distribution of the study drug and supplies will be performed by 
Lundbeck. Each bottle will contain 90 tablets. 
 
Health & Wellness Compounding Pharmacy is responsible for the manufacturing of the carbidopa 
capsules. Carbidopa will be supplied in 25mg capsules. Patients who are not already taking a carbidopa-
containing medication (i.e. carbidopa-levodopa) will be started on 200mg of carbidopa twice daily. For 
those who are on a carbidopa-containing medication, the necessary supplemental dose will be calculated 
in order to increase their total dose to 200mg BID, or a total of 400mg per day. 
 
The study drugs will be packaged and shipped in appropriate storage boxes. Each study drug shipment 
will include a packing slip, listing the contents of the shipment, drug return instructions, and any appli-
cable forms. Medication should be examined immediately upon arrival at the study center.  The investi-
gator is responsible for ensuring that deliveries of study drug and other study materials from the sponsor 
are correctly received and recorded, handled, and stored safely and properly in accordance with GCP, 
CFR, and local regulations, and used in accordance with this protocol. 
 
The study drugs (droxidopa and carbidopa) must be kept in a secure, limited-access storage area, under 
the appropriate conditions: store at 25ºC (77ºF) with excursions permitted to 15ºC to 30ºC (59ºF-86ºF). 
Only authorized personnel will have access to the study drugs at the study centers. 
 


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The study drugs will be dispensed to the patient at the study center by a person authorized by the study 
investigator at each scheduled visit. The patient will return all bottles of the study drug, whether 
unopened, partially full, or empty at each visit. 
 
A record of study drug accountability (ie, study drug and other materials received, used, retained, re-
turned, or destroyed) must be prepared and signed by the principal investigator or designee, with an ac-
count given for any discrepancies. Empty, partially used, and unused bottles of study drug will be re-
turned to the sponsor or its designee for destruction. 
 
 
Concomitant Interventions 
 
5.1.1 Required Interventions 
The required interventions include taking droxidopa and carbidopa according to the regimen 
described above. 
5.1.2 Prohibited Interventions 
 
Disallowed and Allowed Medications Before Study Drug Treatment 
 
The following previous medications will be disallowed before study drug treatment: 
 
• Any investigational products within 60 days prior to the Screening/Baseline Visit 
• Droxidopa or any vasoconstricting agents within 30 days prior to the Screening/Baseline Visit 
• Any medications which increase blood pressure, including norepinephrine, ephedrine, 
midodrine, fludrocortisone, and triptans 
• Any other noradrenergic medications, such as serotonin-norepinpehrine reuptake inhibitors 
(SNRI’s) 
 
The following previous medications will be allowed: 
• Dopaminergic medication – the dose must be stable for greater than or equal to 30 days prior to 
the Screening Visit 
• Amantadine – the dose must be stable for greater than or equal to 30 days prior to the Screening 
Visit 
 
Disallowed and Allowed Medications During Study Drug Treatment 
 
The following medications will be disallowed during the study: 
• Any medications which increase blood pressure, including norepinephrine, ephedrine, 
midodrine, fludrocortisone, and triptans 
• Any other noradrenergic medications, such as serotonin-norepinpehrine reuptake inhibitors 
(SNRI’s) 
 


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The following medications will be allowed during the study: 
• Dopaminergic medication: ropinirole, pramipexole, rotigotine, levodopa, and 
entacapone 
• Amantadine 
 
5.1.3 Precautionary Interventions 
During the titration phase, subjects will be monitored closely for any adverse reactions. If any 
should occur, the subject will be decreased back to the maximum tolerated dose. If any adverse 
reactions develop that result in discontinuation of the medication or study protocol, this will be 
documented as an adverse event. 
Adherence Assessment 
 
At each study visit, the investigator or site coordinator will assess the patient’s compliance with the 
study requirements. This will include checks of protocol compliance and treatment compliance. During 
the titration period, patients will be asked about any difficulties following the titration and dosing sched-
ule. At each study visit, the subject will be instructed to bring their pill bottles with them and the number 
of remaining pills of both droxidopa and carbidopa will be counted and recorded. Treatment compliance 
will be defined as those taking greater than or equal to 70% of the assigned study drug doses. The modi-
fied intent-to-treat (mITT) population will be used for all analyses. The mITT population is all partici-
pants who begin the study and who have at least 1 post-baseline assessment. Patients who fail to comply 
with the study requirements may be withdrawn from the study. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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6 
CLINICAL AND LABORATORY EVALUATIONS 
 
Schedule of Evaluations 
 
Procedures and 
assessments 
Screening Baseline 
Study 
Visit 1 
Phone 
visit 
during 
titration 
Study 
Visit 2 
Study 
Visit 3 
Study 
Visit 4 
Medical history 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Medication history 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Inclusion and exclusion 
criteria 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Physical examination 
X 
X 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
Orthostatic vital signs  
X 
X 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
UPDRS Parts 2 and 318 
X 
  
X 
 
  
X 
X 
MoCA19 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Hoehn and Yahr staging20 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
GDS-15 symptoms score21 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Informed consent 
X 
  
  
 
  
  
  
Concomitant medication 
inquiry 
X 
X 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
Stop Signal task22 
X 
X 
X 
 
  
X 
X 
Simon task23 
  
X 
X 
 
  
X 
X 
Reward learning task34 
 
X 
X 
 
 
X 
X 
FrSBe scale25 
  
X 
X 
 
  
X 
X 
Fall diary 
  
X 
X 
 
  
X 
X 
MRI brain 
  
X 
X 
 
  
X 
 
Autonomic function testing 
 
X 
X 
 
 
X 
 
Blood catecholamine 
measurement 
 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
Transcranial Doppler US 
 
X 
 
 
 
X 
 
GAITRite assessment26 
  
X 
 
 
  
X 
X 
Adverse event inquiry 
 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
X 
Dispense/collect study drug 
  
X 
X 
 
X 
X 
X 
 
UPDRS, Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale; MoCA, Montreal Cognitive Assessment; GDS-15, Geriatric 
Depression Scale; FrSBe scale, Frontal Systems Behavior Scale


  
Timing of Evaluations 
 
6.1.1.1 Pre-Randomization Evaluations 
 
Procedures for Screening/Baseline 
 
A signed and dated informed consent form will be obtained before screening procedures commence. Once 
the informed consent form is signed, all screening/baseline procedures need to be completed within 5 days. 
Evaluations obtained as part of routine medical care and performed during the screening period may be 
used in place of the protocol-specific evaluations, with clear documentation within the source documents. 
In addition, disease-specific assessments performed within a specified time frame prior to informed consent 
may be used for the study. Patients will acknowledge and agree to the possible use of this information for 
the study by giving informed consent. 
 
After informed consent is obtained, patients who are screened will be assigned an identification number. 
 
A patient who is screened and does not meet study entry criteria will not be considered for screening again. 
 
At the initial Screening Visit, a comprehensive review of the medical history and current medications will 
be performed. UPDRS score will be determined based on clinical examination. Blood pressure and heart 
rate will be recorded in the supine, sitting, and standing positions and an ECG will be performed. Each 
subject will also undergo screening cognitive testing including a MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), 
RBANS, Trails A and B, and categorical fluency tests. If all inclusion and exclusion criteria are satisfied, 
written informed consent will be obtained. 
 
The following procedures will be performed at the Screening Visit: 
• Inform patients of study restrictions and compliance requirements. 
• Obtain written informed consent before any other study-related procedures are performed. 
• Medical history review 
• Medication history review 
• Confirm the patient has a diagnosis of idiopathic PD based on the UK 
• Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (refer to 
• Appendix C). 
• UPDRS, Parts 2 and 3, completed by a trained site rater (PI or designee) 
• Hoehn and Yahr staging 
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Version 7.1, rating scale 
• GDS-15 symptoms score < 10 
• Physical examination (including height and weight) 
• Vital signs measurements (pulse and blood pressure recorded after 3 minutes supine and 3 minutes 
standing) 
• Review inclusion and exclusion criteria. 
 
At the subsequent Baseline Visit, all subjects will undergo initial cognitive assessments including the Stop-
Signal, Simon, and Attentional blink tasks. An initial gait assessment using the GAITRite system will also 
be performed. This will include assessments of timed up and go, straight away, walking as fast as possible, 


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walking as fast as possible through a door, and walking as fast as possible through a door while performing 
serial 7’s. Postural reflexes will also be assessed using a pull test on the gait mat. Orthostatic vital signs will 
also be checked at this visit. 
 
The following procedures will be performed at the Baseline Visit: 
• Stop-Signal Task 
• Simon Task 
• Attentional Blink Task 
• Reward Learning Task 
• Initial GAITRite assessment 
• Autonomic function testing 
• MRI brain 
 
6.1.1.2 
On-Study/On-Intervention Evaluations 
 
 
Procedures During Study Drug Treatment 
 
After the Baseline Visit, each subject will be started on a stable dose of carbidopa to reach a total of 200mg 
BID. This will be continued for the next week until Study Visit 1. Study visits must be scheduled on the 
weeks indicated in the Schedule of Evaluations +/- 5 days. 
 
Study Visit 1 
 
The following procedures will be performed at Study Visit 1: 
• Stop-Signal Task 
• Simon Task 
• Attentional Blink Task 
• Reward Learning Task 
• Autonomic function testing, including orthostatic vital signs 
• MRI brain 
• Ask the patient, “How have you been feeling?” and record any AEs that are 
reported. 
• Verify all concomitant medications (total daily dose must be recorded for all 
PD medications) and record any changes. 
• Record any interruptions in study drug dosing. Count and record the number of remaining tablets of 
study drug that were dispensed at the previous visit. 
• Count and dispense 1 new bottle of study drug to the patient. 
 
After Study Visit 1, each subject will begin titration of droxidopa over the next week. Study Visit 2 will 
take place once each subject is stabilized on the maximum tolerated dose. At this visit, repeat cognitive as-
sessments (Stop-Signal, Simon, and Attentional blink tasks) and a gait assessment will be performed. Or-
thostatic vital signs will also be measured. 
 
 


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Study Visit 2 
• Vital signs measurements (pulse and blood pressure recorded after 3 minutes 
supine and 3 minutes standing) 
• Ask the patient, “How have you been feeling?” and record any AEs that are 
reported. 
• Verify all concomitant medications (total daily dose must be recorded for all 
PD medications) and record any changes. 
• Record any interruptions in study drug dosing. Count and record the number of remaining tablets of 
study drug that were dispensed at the previous visit. 
• Count and dispense 1 new bottle of study drug to the patient. 
 
Study Visit 3 
• Stop-Signal Task 
• Simon Task 
• Attentional Blink Task 
• Reward Learning Task 
• GAITRite analysis 
• Autonomic function testing, including orthostatic vital signs, transcranial Doppler, and blood cate-
cholamine measurement 
• MRI brain 
• Ask the patient, “How have you been feeling?” and record any AEs that are 
reported. 
• Verify all concomitant medications (total daily dose must be recorded for all 
PD medications) and record any changes. 
• Record any interruptions in study drug dosing. Count and record the number of remaining tablets of 
study drug that were dispensed at the previous visit. 
• Provide instructions for tapering droxidopa and carbidopa 
 
6.1.1.3 
Intervention Discontinuation Evaluations 
 
All subjects who discontinue the study medications will continue to be followed and will be included in the 
final analysis in an intention-to-treat model. 
 
6.1.1.4 
On Study/Off-Intervention Evaluations 
 
After Study Visit 3 has been completed, each subject will be tapered off droxidopa and carbidopa. The final 
visit will take place after a one month washout period and will again include cognitive testing and a gait as-
sessment. During the washout period there will be two phone visits to check in with the subject and inquire 
about any adverse events. 
 
6.1.1.5 
Final On-Study Evaluations 
 


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Study Visit 4 (Final Visit) 
 
The Final Visit will take place after a one month washout period and will again include cognitive testing 
and a gait assessment. 
 
Patients who participate in the study in compliance with the protocol for 3 weeks of treatment will be 
considered to have completed the study. 
 
If a patient withdraws from the study during the treatment period, the reason must be determined and 
recorded. For patients who withdraw consent, every attempt will be made to determine the reason. 
 
The following procedures and assessments will be performed at the Final Visit: 
• Stop-Signal Task 
• Simon Task 
• Attentional Blink Task 
• Reward Learning Task 
• GAITRite analysis 
• Vital signs measurements (pulse and blood pressure recorded after 3 minutes supine and 3 minutes 
standing) 
• Ask the patient, “How have you been feeling?” and record any AEs that are reported. 
• Verify all concomitant medications (total daily dose must be recorded for all PD medications) and 
record any changes. 
• Record any interruptions in study drug dosing. Count and record the number of remaining tablets of 
study drug that were dispensed at the previous visit. Retrieve all unused study drug for accountability. 
 
6.1.1.6 
Off-Study Requirements 
 
No formal study visits are planned after the completion of Study Visit 4. Patients will be provided with our 
contact information and will be encouraged to call with any questions or concerns and to notify the 
investigator of any new adverse events. 
 
Special Instructions and Definitions of Evaluations 
 
6.1.2 Informed Consent 
 
The investigator will fully inform the patient of all pertinent aspects of the study, including the written 
information approved by the IRB/EC. Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient before 
any study-specific procedures or assessments are done and after the aims, methods, anticipated benefits, 
and potential hazards are explained, according to the IRB/EC requirements. The patient’s willingness to 
participate in the study will be documented in writing in a consent form, which will be signed and 
personally dated by the patient. The investigator will keep the original consent forms, and copies will be 


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given to the patients. It will also be explained to the patients that they are free to refuse entry into the study 
and free to withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice to future treatment. 
 
Written and/or oral information about the study in a language understandable by the patient will be given to 
all patients with ample time for their consent. 
 
6.1.3 Documentation of Parkinson’s disease 
 
The diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease will be verified based on the UK Parkinson Disease Society 
Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria. UPDRS rating scales will also be performed to document severity 
and motor subtype. Hoehn and Yahr staging will also be performed to document disease severity and 
functional impairment. 
 
6.1.4 Medical History 
A comprehensive medical history will be obtained at the Screening Visit. 
6.1.5 Treatment History 
Documentation of all current and previous medications for 90 days prior to the screening visit. 
6.1.6 Concomitant Treatments 
All concomitant medications will be documented, and specific inquiry will address any prohibited 
concomitant therapies. 
6.1.7 Clinical Assessments 
 
A general physical exam, neurologic exam, and orthostatic vital signs will be performed at all study 
visits. 
6.1.8 Laboratory Evaluations 
Blood catecholamine levels will be checked at Baseline and Study Visit 3. 
6.1.9 Pharmacokinetic Studies 
N/a 
6.1.10 Other Laboratory Studies 
N/a 
6.1.11 Additional Evaluations 
 


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Stop Signal task 
 
The Stop-Signal Task (22) measures the speed with which an initiated action can be inhibited upon the 
occurrence of a stopping stimulus. In this task, participants are presented with a green arrow on a screen 
pointing either to the left or the right and are instructed to press a button with the left or right index finger, 
corresponding to the direction of the arrow. For the majority of the trials the arrow remains green and 
subjects respond as instructed. However on a certain percentage (typically 30%) of the trials, the arrow 
turns red shortly after appearing on the screen. This signals the participant to inhibit the previously initiated 
response and refrain from pressing the button. The delay between the presentation of the arrow and the 
presentation of the stop signal can be varied to adjust the difficulty of the task, as it is easier to suppress a 
response the earlier the signal appears. This delay is automatically adjusted during the task in order for each 
subject to achieve successful inhibition on 50% of the “stop” trials. 
 
The Stop-Signal Reaction Time (SSRT) is calculated as the difference between the average response time 
on “go” trials and the average stop signal delay. The SSRT reflects the time it takes an individual to stop a 
previously initiated action. It has been extensively studied as a measure of inhibitory action control. Slower 
SSRT’s have been associated with a number of disease processes but seem to be most closely linked to 
disorders affecting the prefrontal cortex (27,28) and basal ganglia (29,30,31). 
 
The Stop-Signal Task will be completed at the Baseline Visit as well as Study Visits 1, 2, 3, and 4. 
 
Simon task 
 
The Simon task (23) is another well-validated measure of inhibitory action control which has also been 
studied extensively in PD. This is a conflict task which measures the effect of interfering impulses on the 
ability to select a goal response. Participants are instructed to respond with either the left or right hand ac-
cording to the color of a stimulus. However, the stimuli are presented either to the left or to the right of a 
fixation point. The spatial location of the stimulus, although irrelevant to the goal of the task, elicits an im-
pulse to respond with the corresponding hand. Therefore, on trials in which the location of the stimulus 
matches the response signaled by the color, both reaction time and accuracy are facilitated (corresponding 
trials). On non-corresponding trials the impulsive response activated by location and the slower controlled 
response based on color are incompatible, therefore slowing reaction time and increasing error rates. The 
Simon Effect refers to the magnitude of this interference, or the difference in reaction time between com-
patible and incompatible trials. 
 
Accuracy rates on the Simon task tend to be lower in trials with short reaction times, due to an increase in 
the proportion of fast impulsive errors. Plotting the accuracy rates for incompatible trials as a function of 
reaction time thus generates a conditional accuracy function (CAF).  Accuracy rates for the fastest group of 
reaction times are used as an indicator of impulsivity and have been shown to be the most sensitive measure 
of automatic response capture (32). 
 
Previous studies indicate that PD reduces the proficiency of suppressing impulsive actions (32), and inhibi-
tory control worsens with increasing disease severity. Futhermore, PD patients who fall into the PIGD sub-
type make significantly more impulsive errors than tremor dominant patients. This indicates that patients 
with gait dysfunction are more likely to react impulsively, which may correlate with fall risk. In addition, 


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these results also lend further support to the critical link between impaired action control and gait dysfunc-
tion in PD.  
 
 
Attentional blink task 
 
The attentional blink task (24) is a measure of visual attention, a process that has been found to be very 
closely linked to norepinephrine. Subjects are presented with a series of letters in rapid serial visual 
presentation (RSVP). They are asked to identify a specified letter, and then to report a second target letter 
which appears after a variable delay from the first target letter. The ability to report the second target is 
diminished when it falls between 200-500ms from the first. The duration of this time period is known as the 
attentional blink. The size of the attentional blink can vary based on many factors but is thought to be 
predominantly a norepinephrine-dependent process (33). 
 
Reward learning task 
The reward learning task is a probabilistic action–valence learning paradigm during which subjects must 
learn to act or withhold action in order to maximize monetary earnings by gaining rewards and avoiding 
losses (34, 35). Specifically, subjects view a series of cartoon characters that are presented one at a time in 
the center of a computer screen. With each decision to act or withhold action, subjects receive monetary 
feedback (reward, punishment, or no monetary outcome). Unbeknownst to the subject, two of the cartoon 
characters provide outcomes that will be either rewarded or unrewarded, and the remaining two characters 
provide outcomes that will be either punished or unpunished. Therefore, the former characters will be 
associated with reward learning, whereas the latter characters will be associated with punishment avoidance 
learning. Also unknown to the subject, one character from each set yields the optimal outcome (i.e., either 
gain reward or avoid punishment) by acting, but the other character from each set yields the optimal 
outcome by withholding action. 
We will calculate accuracy for each of the four action-valence combinations (action-reward, action-
punishment, inaction-reward, inaction-punishment), defined by the percentage of trials in which the subject 
selected the optimal response in the final 10 trials (from a total of 40 learning trials).     
 
 
MRI brain 
 
MRI scans of the brain will be performed at baseline, on carbidopa, and on carbidopa+droxidopa using thin 
section inversion prepared T1-weighted gradient echo sequences (IR SPGR, TE=3.6, TR=19, TI=400, 24 
cm field of view) in the sagittal (slice thickness 1.2 mm) and coronal (slice thickness 1.4 mm) planes. In 
addition, fast spin echo axial spin density weighted (TE=19, TR=5000, 3 mm thick) and T2-weighted 
(TE=106, TR=5000, 3 mm thick) slices will be obtained to exclude any structural abnormalities. After 
structural imaging, resting state BOLD signal imaging will occur. Whole-brain oxygen extraction fraction 
can be assessed quickly and noninvasively using MRI. Specifically, the blood water transverse relaxation 
time (T2) depends very sensitively on oxygenation level10 and hematocrit (Hct), and therefore combined 
measurements of Hct and venous T2 can be converted to blood oxygenation level through appropriate 
blood signal isolation and calibration procedures. Elegant work has demonstrated the dependence between 
venous T2 and blood oxygenation level, and this so-called TRUST MRI method has recently been devel-


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oped and validated for the measurement of OEF.11 TRUST MRI has been used to quantify OEF in healthy 
adults across the lifespan (36). 
 
Autonomic function testing 
 
Postural study. Participants will be studied in the morning, under fasting condition after midnight to avoid 
the confounding effect of post-prandial hypotension. We will obtain SBP, DBP and HR measurements with 
automated sphygmomanometer twice while supine for 10 minutes (with the torso and head elevated 30 de-
grees from horizontal) and after 1, 3, 5, 15 and 30 minutes while upright. The standing time will be meas-
ured by a chronometer. This initial measurement will allow us to determine if patients have OH (inclusion 
criterion). 
 
Autonomic function testing. All patients enrolled in this study will undergo autonomic function tests to de-
termine the presence of autonomic failure. During these tests, we will monitor HR by EKG and blood pres-
sure continuously with tonometry or finger plethysmography and intermittently with an oscillometric de-
vice. These tests include sinus arrhythmia and valsalva maneuver. Deep breathing-vagally-mediated sinus 
arrhythmia (SA) will be assessed during controlled breathing (pattern of 5 seconds inhalation and 5 seconds 
exhalation repeated over 90 seconds). Valsalva maneuver will be assessed by instructing the subject to ex-
hale against a 40 mm Hg pressure. Changes in intra thoracic pressure produce autonomically modulated 
transient changes in heart rate and blood pressure.  
 
Blood catecholamine measurements. Supine and standing plasma norepinephrine levels will be measured at 
baseline and at peak dose droxidopa therapy. 
 
Cerebral blood flow. We will use an ST3 digital transcranial doppler system (Spencer technologies, Seattle, 
WA) to continuously monitor cerebral blood flow velocity during progressive head up tilt. The left MCA 
will be insonated from the anterior temporal window by placing the probe on the temporal area, above the 
zygomatic arch. We will fix the probe with the Marc 600 Headframe System (Spencer Technologies, Seat-
tle, WA) for stable positioning. Doppler shift, a difference between the frequency of the emitted signal (2 
MHz) and its echo (frequency of the reflected signal), was then used to calculate the velocity of blood flow 
by means of Fourier transform. An assumption that the diameter of the MCA does not change must be 
made to relate MCA flow velocity to blood flow. The caliber of the MCA stem (the insonated segment in 
TCD) is reported to change by <4% in response to BP and CO2 changes. 
 
 
GAITRite assessment 
 
The GAITRite gait analysis system is a portable walkway embedded with grids of pressure sensors which 
record footfalls and provide information regarding a variety of spatial and temporal parameters of gait. It 
has been validated in a number of populations (37, 38, 39), including Parkinson disease patients (40). Pa-
rameters such as gait velocity, cadence (steps per minute), stride length, and ratios of swing and stance 
phases can be calculated based on the recorded data. Patients can also be asked to perform different tasks 
on the gait mat, such as a timed up and go test (standing up from a seated position and walking a set dis-
tance) or assessments of postural instability such as the pull test. Cognitive tasks can also be added to in-
crease the level of difficulty and sometimes induce freezing in susceptible patients. These include perform-
ing serial 7 calculations while walking, walking as fast as possible, and navigating an obstacle such as a 
door. 


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Adverse event inquiry 
 
Subjects will be asked open-ended questions about how they have been feeling at each study visit. Adverse 
event inquiries will be performed at Baseline, Study Visit 1, a Phone Visit during titration, and Study Visits 
2, 3, and 4. Any adverse events will be documented and managed as described in Sections 7 and 10. 
 
6.1.12 Questionnaires 
• Hoehn and Yahr staging will be performed at Screening. 
• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Version 7.1 will be performed at Screening. 
• GDS-15 (Geriatric Depression Scale) will be performed at Screening. 
• FrSBe scale will be performed at Baseline and Study Visits 1, 3, and 4. 
• All subjects will be asked to keep a fall diary throughout the study. This will be reviewed at  
Baseline and Study Visits 1, 3, and 4. 
 
6.1.13 Adherence Assessments 
At each study visit, the investigator or site coordinator will assess the patient’s compliance with the study 
requirements. This will include checks of protocol compliance and treatment compliance. During the 
titration period, patients will be asked about any difficulties following the titration and dosing schedule. At 
each study visit, the subject will be instructed to bring their pill bottles with them and the number of 
remaining pills of both droxidopa and carbidopa will be counted and recorded. Treatment compliance will 
be defined as those taking greater than or equal to 70% of the assigned study drug doses. The modified 
intent-to-treat (mITT) population will be used for all analyses. The mITT population is all participants who 
begin the study and who have at least 1 post-baseline assessment. Patients who fail to comply with the 
study requirements may be withdrawn from the study. 
 
7 
MANAGEMENT OF ADVERSE EXPERIENCES 
 
The safety of combined droxidopa and carbidopa treatment will be assessed by evaluating adverse events 
(AEs) and vital signs.  
 
The following adverse events have been reported with droxidopa: 
• Hypertension (SBP > 180) 
• Headache 
• Nausea 
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness 
 
Carbidopa alone has not been associated with any adverse effects. When administered in combination with 
levodopa, the most common adverse reactions include dyskinesias and nausea. Other reported adverse 


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reactions include delusions, hallucinations, impulse control behaviors, and depression. Convulsions have 
also occurred although a causal relationship has not been established.  
 
Administering droxidopa along with carbidopa would be expected to be associated with a reduced risk of 
hypertension as compared with droxidopa alone, as this is a peripheral effect resulting from arterial and 
venous vasoconstriction induced directly by norepinephrine. Therefore, inhibiting the peripheral 
metabolism of droxidopa will limit these effects and increase the central activity of norepinephrine. In the 
studies performed thus far, no additional adverse events have been reported in those patients treated with 
droxidopa along with carbidopa as compared with droxidopa alone, although further investigation is 
warranted. 
 
Vital signs will be measured at the Screening and Baseline Visits as well as Weeks 3, 5, 7, and 11 (or early 
discontinuation) Visits. Vital signs include pulse and blood pressure. The same position and arm should be 
used each time vital signs are measured for a given patient. Blood pressure and pulse will be recorded after 
the patient has been supine for at least 3 minutes, and after standing for 3 minutes. For any abnormal vital 
sign finding, the measurement should be repeated as soon as possible. Any increase in systolic blood 
pressure over 180mmHg will be listed as an adverse event. In addition, any vital sign value that is judged 
by the investigator as a clinically significant change (worsening) compared to a screening/baseline value 
will be considered an AE, recorded, and monitored. 
 
Physical examinations, including height and weight will be performed at the Screening/Baseline Visit. Any 
physical examination finding that is judged by the investigator as a clinically significant finding should be 
recorded in the medical history or AE sections. 
 
Concomitant therapy or medication usage will be monitored throughout the study. If a subject begins a 
contraindicated medication during the study period, this must be stopped immediately or the subject must 
withdraw from the study. 
 
During the titration phase, subjects will be monitored closely for any adverse effects. If any should occur, 
the subject will be decreased back to the maximum tolerated dose. If the symptoms resolve and the subject 
is then able to complete the study protocol at the reduced dosage, this will be documented in the dose 
finding portion of the study. If any adverse reactions develop that result in discontinuation of the 
medication or study protocol, this will be documented as an adverse event. 
 
The study chair will also work closely with Lundbeck throughout the study period to ensure that toxicities 
that have been seen in previous studies are identified, and that a plan for management and documentation of 
these toxicities is developed.   
 
 
8 
CRITERIA FOR INTERVENTION DISCONTINUATION 
 
Criteria for discontinuing the study intervention are as follows: 
• Sustained hypertension >180mmHg systolic despite a reduction in droxidopa dose 
• Adverse events that do not resolve with dose modification 
• Any serious adverse events 


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All subjects who begin the study and have at least one post-baseline assessment will be included in the final 
analysis according to the modified intent-to-treat approach. Subjects who discontinue the study intervention 
will still be encouraged to complete the remainder of the study visits and will be compensated for their 
time. 
 
 
9 
STATISTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 
General Design Issues 
 
This is an 11-week, prospective, open label, safety and tolerability study evaluating combined carbidopa 
and droxidopa therapy in PD. Our primary hypothesis is that this combination therapy will be safe and 
tolerable in a cohort of Parkinson disease patients classified as PIGD subtype. The primary outcome 
measure is therefore the safety (defined as the percent of subjects who develop an adverse event during the 
study period) and tolerability (defined as the number of patients who discontinue the study medications due 
to an adverse event) of this combination therapy. Our secondary objectives are to determine the optimal 
dosing regimen for combined droxidopa and carbidopa therapy in this patient population, and to explore the 
effects of central norepinephrine repletion on action control in Parkinson’s disease patients. These 
objectives will provide preliminary data to be used in the development of future efficacy trials if the 
intervention is found to be safe and tolerable in this population. 
 
Outcomes 
9.1.1 Primary outcome 
Our primary outcome measure will be the safety and tolerability of droxidopa combined with carbidopa in a 
Parkinson disease cohort.  
• Safety will be defined by the percent of subjects who develop an adverse event during the 7-week 
treatment period that is determined to be likely related to the study medications 
• Predefined safety outcomes: 
§ Hypertension (SBP > 180) 
§ Headache 
§ Nausea 
§ Fatigue 
§ Dizziness 
§ Agitation or adverse behavioral symptoms 
• Tolerability will be defined by the number of patients who discontinue the study drug due to 
adverse effects. 
9.1.2 Secondary outcomes 
• The mean maximum tolerated dose of droxidopa reached by the study participants and the percent 
compliance (those who take greater than or equal to 70% of the assigned dosage) 
• Change in Stop-Signal reaction time from baseline to Week 7 


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9.1.3  Exploratory outcomes 
• Change in performance on exploratory measures from baseline to Week 7: Simon task, attentional 
blink, gait assessment, and imaging and autonomic data 
          
Sample Size and Accrual 
 
Our primary hypothesis is that combination droxidopa and carbidopa therapy will be safe and tolerable in 
this cohort of PD patients. 
 
The primary safety outcome is the percent of subjects who are able to complete the study protocol without 
any AE’s leading to discontinuation. In the initial safety and tolerability studies leading to the approval of 
droxidopa, adverse effects leading to discontinuation occurred in approximately 18% of patients. The most 
common AE’s leading to discontinuation were nausea or hypertension. We will therefore set our accepted 
toxicity rate at 20%. Given an alpha of 0.05 and a B of 0.10 to provide 90% power, a sample size of 15 
patients will be sufficient to determine our primary safety outcome. 
 
Our secondary outcomes include some preliminary efficacy measures to inform the development of future 
trials. We will use a change in Stop-Signal Reaction Time as our secondary efficacy variable. Based on a 
within-subject analysis comparing three measurements (screening, baseline, and on medication), we 
calculated that a sample size of 14 subjects would be sufficient to obtain significant medication effects on 
inhibition in the Stop Signal task. This is based on a repeated measures ANOVA with an effect size of 0.57 
(based on previous studies), alpha 0.05, and power of 0.9. 
 
Data Monitoring 
 
All patients will be monitored for adverse events related to medication as described above. Patient data and 
results will be monitored at intervals throughout the study.  
 
An independent data safety monitor has been identified for this study. Monthly meetings will be conducted 
to review data and safety issues. We will review any adverse events immediately with the safety monitor. 
Data Analyses 
 
The modified intent-to-treat (mITT) population will be used for all analyses. The mITT population is all 
participants who begin the study and have at least 1 post-baseline assessment. 
 
The overall safety and tolerability of combined droxidopa and carbidopa treatment will be assessed 
throughout the study by evaluating AE’s and vital signs and the number (%) of patients who discontinue the 
study and the number (%) of patients who discontinue the study due to an AE. 
 
A preliminary efficacy analysis will be performed using a repeated measures ANOVA to compare Stop-
Signal Reaction time at the Baseline Visit, Study Visit 1, and Study Visit 3 
 
9.8.2. Safety Analysis 


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All AEs will be coded using the most updated version of the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities 
(MedDRA). A patient will be counted only once in each preferred term or system organ class (SOC) 
category for the analyses of safety. Summaries will be presented for all AEs (overall and by severity), AEs 
determined by the investigator to be treatment related (defined as possibly related or with missing 
relationship) (overall and by severity), SAEs, and AEs causing withdrawal from the study. Summaries will 
be presented by treatment group and for all patients. Patient listings of deaths, serious AEs, and AEs 
leading to withdrawal will be presented. 
 
Descriptive statistics of vital signs, as well as their changes from baseline, will be presented by treatment 
group. Changes in vital signs measurement data will be summarized descriptively. All values will be 
compared to prespecified boundaries so that potentially clinically significant changes or values can be 
identified, and such values will be listed. The frequency of potentially clinically significant vital sign 
measurements will be presented by treatment group. 
 
For continuous variables, descriptive statistics (n, mean, SD, median, minimum, and maximum) will be 
provided for actual values and changes from baseline to each time point. For categorical variables, patient 
counts and percentages will be provided. 
 
Descriptive summaries of SAEs, patient withdrawals due to AEs, and potentially clinically significant 
abnormal values (clinical laboratory or vital signs) on the basis of predefined criteria will also be provided. 
 
9.8.3. Tolerability Analysis 
 
Tolerability analysis will be based on the number and percent of patients who discontinue the study drug 
and the number and percent of patients who terminate the study drug due to AEs. Time to withdrawal of 
study drug will be presented by Kaplan-Meier curves. Significance testing of time to withdrawal of study 
drug will be done using a log-rank test. 
 
10 
DATA COLLECTION, SITE MONITORING, AND ADVERSE EXPERIENCE       REPORTING 
Records to Be Kept 
 
The medical experts, study monitors, auditors, IRB/EC, and health authority inspectors (or their agents) 
will be given direct access to source data and documentation (eg, medical charts or records, laboratory test 
results, printouts, videotapes) for source data verification, provided that patient confidentiality is main-
tained in accordance with local requirements. 
 
Each investigator must maintain, at all times, the original records (ie, source documents) of each patient’s 
data. Examples of source documents are hospital records, office visit records, examining physician’s find-
ings or notes, consultant’s written opinion or notes, laboratory reports, drug inventory, study drug label rec-
ords, diary data, protocol-required worksheets, and case report forms (CRFs) that are used as the source. 
 
Each investigator will maintain a confidential patient identification list that allows the unambiguous identi-
fication of each patient. All study-related documents must be kept until notification by the sponsor. 
 


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10.1.1 Role of Data Management 
Data will be collected using CRFs that are specifically designed for this study. The data collected on the 
CRFs will be captured in a clinical data management system (CDMS). Before it is used to capture data 
from this study, the CDMS will be fully validated to ensure that it meets the scientific, regulatory, and 
logistical requirements of the study. Before using the CDMS, all users will receive training on the system 
and any study-specific training. Subsequent to the training, the users will be provided with individual 
system access right. 
Data will be collected at the study center by appropriately designated and trained personnel, and CRFs must 
be completed for each patient screened who provided informed consent according to the data source. The 
patient’s identity should not be discernible from the data provided on the CRF. Data will be verified using 
the data source by the study monitor, and reviewed for consistency by data management using both 
automated logical checks and manual review. All data collected will be approved by the investigator at the 
study center. This approval acknowledges the investigator’s review and acceptance of the data as being 
complete and accurate. If data are processed from other institutions (ie, central laboratory, central image 
center, electronic diary data), the results should be sent to the study center and be sent electronically to the 
sponsor (or organization performing data management) for direct application into the clinical database (see 
Section 3.9). Laboratory test results will not be added to the CRF unless otherwise noted in the protocol. 
For subjects who are designated as screening failures, only data for demography, disposition, and AEs will 
be entered into the clinical database. 
Data management is responsible for the accuracy, quality, completeness, and internal consistency of the 
data from the study. Data handling, including data quality assurance, will comply with worldwide 
regulatory guidelines (eg, ICH, GCP). Data management and control processes specific to this study, along 
with all steps and actions taken regarding data management and data quality assurance, will be described in 
a data management plan. When data management is outsourced, the contract research organization (CRO) 
will be responsible for the development and implementation of the data management plan. 
Received CRFs will be processed and reviewed for completeness, consistency, and the presence of 
mandatory values. Applicable terms will be coded according to the coding conventions for this study. 
Logical checks will be implemented to ensure data quality and accuracy. Any necessary changes will be 
made in the clinical database, and data review and validation procedures will be repeated as needed. Data 
from external sources will be compared with the information available in the CDMS. Discrepancies found 
will be queried. When data management is outsourced, the CRO will be responsible for the database quality 
assurance, including, but not limited to, all applicable coded terms. 
Data corrections in the CDMS will be made using the CDMS update function. For each instance of data 
modifications, the system requires a reason for the change. The system keeps a complete audit trail of the 
data values, dates and times of modifications, and authorized electronic approvals of the changes. 
At the conclusion of the study, the CDMS and all other study data will be locked to further additions or 
corrections. Locking the study data represents the acknowledgement that all data have been captured and 
confirmed as accurate. During or at the end of the study, the Lundbeck Clinical Quality Assurance Group 
will be responsible for the audit of the study process and documentation. 
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No changes from the final approved (signed) protocol will be initiated without the prior written approval or 
favorable opinion of a written amendment by the IRB/EC, except when necessary to eliminate immediate 
safety concerns to the patients or when the change involves only logistics or administration. Each principal 
investigator and the sponsor will sign the protocol amendment. 
 
Study Monitoring 
 
To ensure compliance with GCP guidelines, a study safety monitor will be appointed. Regular meetings 
will be conducted to review data and safety issues. All unanticipated adverse events will be reported to the 
IRB within 7 days of their occurrence, and within 10 days to the FDA. 
 
Audit and Inspection 
 
The sponsor may audit the study center to evaluate study conduct and compliance with protocols, SOPs, 
GCPs, and applicable regulatory requirements. The sponsor quality assurance unit, independent of the 
clinical research department, is responsible for determining the need for and timing of a study center audit. 
Each investigator must accept that regulatory authorities and sponsor representatives may conduct 
inspections to verify compliance of the study with GCP guidelines. 
 
Adverse Experience Reporting 
 
An adverse event is any untoward medical occurrence in a patient that develops or worsens in severity 
during the conduct of a clinical study of a pharmaceutical product or a device and does not necessarily have 
a causal relationship to the study drug. 
 
In the study, any event occurring after the clinical study patient has signed informed consent should be 
recorded and reported as an AE, except for screening/baseline laboratory, ECG, and physical examination 
findings that are done for screening/baseline prior to the start of study drug administration. 
 
For the purpose of AE recording, the study period is defined as that time period from signature of the 
informed consent form through the end of the follow-up period. For this study, the follow-up period is 
defined as 30 days following the last dose of study drug. 
 
All AEs that occur during the defined study period must be recorded, regardless of the severity of the event 
or judged relationship to the study drug. All FDA, OHRP and local IRB requirements for reporting adverse 
experiences must be followed.    
 
At each contact with the patient, the investigator or designee must query the patient for AEs by asking an 
open-ended question such as, “Have you had any unusual symptoms or medical problems since the last 
visit? If yes, please describe.” All reported or observed signs and symptoms will be recorded individually, 
except when considered manifestations of a medical condition or disease state. A precise diagnosis will be 
recorded whenever possible. When such a diagnosis is made, all related signs, symptoms, and any test 
findings will be recorded collectively. 
 


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The clinical course of each AE will be monitored at suitable intervals until resolved, stabilized, or returned 
to baseline; the patient is referred to the care of a local health care professional; or a determination of a 
cause unrelated to the study drug or study procedure is made. 
 
The onset and end dates, duration (in case of AE duration less than 24 hours), action taken regarding study 
drug, treatment administered, and outcome for each AE must be recorded. The relationship of each AE to 
study drug treatment and study procedures, and the severity and seriousness of each AE, as judged by the 
investigator, must be recorded as described in the Manual of Operations. 
 
Summaries will be presented for all AEs (overall and by severity), AEs determined by the investigator to be 
treatment related, serious adverse events (SAEs), and AEs causing withdrawal from the study. Patient list-
ings of deaths, SAEs, and AEs leading to withdrawal will be presented.  
 
Severity of an Adverse Event 
 
The severity of each AE must be recorded as one of the following choices: 
• Mild: No limitation of usual activities 
• Moderate: Some limitation of usual activities 
• Severe: Inability to carry out usual activities 
 
Relationship of an Adverse Event to the Study Drug 
 
The relationship of an AE to the study drug is characterized as follows: 
 


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Serious Adverse Events 
 
A serious adverse event (SAE) is an AE occurring at any dose that results in any of the following outcomes 
or actions: 
 
• Death 
• A life-threatening AE (ie, in the view of either the investigator or the sponsor, the patient was at 
immediate risk of death from the event as it occurred) does not include an event that, had it occurred 
in a more severe form, might have caused death. 
• Inpatient hospitalization or prolongation of existing hospitalization means that hospital inpatient 
admission or prolongation of hospital stay was required for treatment of an AE, or that they oc-
curred as a consequence of the event. Hospitalizations scheduled for an elective procedure or for 
treatment of a preexisting condition that has not worsened during participation in the study will not 
be considered SAEs. 
• Substantial disruption of the patient's ability to conduct normal life functions, ie, the adverse event 
resulted in a significant, persistent or permanent change, impairment, damage, or disruption in the 
patient's body function or structure, physical activities, or quality of life 


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• A congenital anomaly or birth defect 
• An important medical event that may not result in death, be life-threatening, or require hospitaliza-
tion, but may jeopardize the patient and may require medical intervention to prevent 1 of the out-
comes listed in this definition. Examples of such events are intensive treatment in an emergency 
room or at home for allergic bronchospasm; blood dyscrasias or convulsions that do not result in 
hospitalization; or the development of drug dependency or drug abuse. NOTE: Any suspected 
transmission of an infectious agent via a medicinal product is considered an important medical 
event. 
 
An AE that does not meet any of the criteria for seriousness listed above will be regarded as a nonserious 
AE. 
 
Expectedness 
 
An unlabeled or unexpected SAE is a reaction that is not included in the Adverse Reaction section of the 
relevant reference safety information by its specificity, severity, outcome, or frequency. The labeling refer-
ence for this study is the Northera prescribing information (refer to Appendix A). 
 
Sponsor pharmacovigilance will help to determine the expectedness for all SAEs. 
 
All SAEs that occur during the study period (including the protocol-defined follow-up period), regardless 
of judged relationship to treatment with the study drug, must be immediately reported to the sponsor or de-
signee by the investigator. All SAEs that occur after the study period, if considered related to study drug 
treatment or to the patient’s participation in the study, must also be immediately reported to the sponsor or 
designee by the investigator. 
 
The report must be made within 24 hours of the investigator’s knowledge of the event or, if the event oc-
curs on a weekend or national holiday, at the latest, on the following working day. 
 
To satisfy regulatory requirements, any SAE, whether deemed IMP-related or not, must be reported to the 
sponsor or designee as soon as possible after the investigator or coordinator has become aware of its occur-
rence. The SAE form completion and reporting must not be delayed even if all of the information is not 
available at the time of the initial contact. 
 
The SAE report should be submitted to the sponsor or designee within 24 hours of becoming aware of the 
event. The sponsor or designee will forward the report to the pharmacovigilance unit. 
 
The following information should be provided to accurately and completely record the event: 
• study number 
• investigator and center identification 
• patient number 
• patient initials 
• AE term 
• serious criteria 
• investigator’s assessment of the relationship of the AE to the study drug 
 


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Additional information may include the following: 
• age and sex of patient 
• date of first dose of study drug 
• date and amount of last administered dose of study drug 
• onset date and description of AE 
• action taken 
• outcome, if known 
• concomitant therapy (including doses, routes, and regimens) and treatment of the event 
• pertinent laboratory or other diagnostic test data 
• medical history 
• results of dechallenge or rechallenge, if know 
• If the AE results in death: 
o cause of death (whether or not the death was related to study drug) 
o autopsy findings (if available) 
 
Withdrawal Due to an Adverse Event 
 
Any patient who experiences an AE may be withdrawn from the study drug at any time at the discretion of 
the investigator. If a patient is withdrawn wholly or in part because of an AE, both the AEs page and dis-
continuation page of the CRF will be completed at that time. The patient will be monitored until the event 
has resolved or stabilized, until a determination of a cause unrelated to the study drug or study procedure is 
made, or until the patient is referred to the care of a local health care professional. The investigator must in-
form the medical monitor as soon as possible of all patients who are beingconsidered for withdrawal due to 
AEs. Additional reports must be provided when requested. 
 
If a patient is withdrawn from the study drug for multiple reasons that include AEs, the discontinuation 
page of the CRF should indicate that the withdrawal was related to an AE. An exception to this requirement 
will be the occurrence of an AE that, in the opinion of the investigator, is not severe enough to warrant dis-
continuation, but which requires the use of a prohibited medication, thereby requiring discontinuation of the 
patient. In such a case, the reason for discontinuation would be the need to take a prohibited medication, not 
the AE. 
 
Protocol Deviations Because of an Adverse Event 
 
If a patient experiences an AE or medical emergency, departures from the protocol may be allowed on a 
case-by-case basis. After stabilization or treatment for the emergency to protect patient safety has been ad-
ministered, the investigator or other physician in attendance in such an emergency must contact the indi-
vidual identified in the clinical study personnel contact information section of this protocol, as soon as pos-
sible, to discuss the circumstances of the emergency. The investigator, in consultation with the sponsor, will 
decide whether the patient should continue to participate in the study. 
 
 
11 
HUMAN SUBJECTS 
 


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Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review and Informed Consent 
 
The investigator will fully inform the patient of all pertinent aspects of the study, including the written 
information approved by the IRB/EC. Written informed consent will be obtained from each patient before 
any study-specific procedures or assessments are done and after the aims, methods, anticipated benefits, 
and potential hazards are explained, according to the IRB/EC requirements. The patient’s willingness to 
participate in the study will be documented in writing in a consent form, which will be signed and 
personally dated by the patient. The consent form will describe the purpose of the study, the procedures to 
be followed, and the risks and benefits of participation. The investigator will keep the original consent 
forms, and copies will be given to the patient. It will also be explained to the patient that he or she is free to 
refuse entry into the study and free to withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice to future 
treatment. 
 
Written and/or oral information about the study in a language understandable by the patient will be given to 
all patients with ample time for their consent. 
Subject Confidentiality 
 
Each investigator must assure that the privacy of the patients, including their personal identity and all per-
sonal medical information, will be maintained at all times. In CRFs and other documents or image material 
submitted to the sponsor, patients will be identified not by their names, but by an identification code (eg, in-
itials and identification number). All records will be kept in a locked file cabinet. All electronic data will be 
entered using the identification code only. Clinical information will not be released without written permis-
sion of the subject, except as necessary for monitoring by IRB, the FDA, the NINDS, the OHRP, the spon-
sor, or the sponsor’s designee. 
 
Personal medical information may be reviewed for the purpose of patient safety or for verifying data rec-
orded on the CRF. This review may be conducted by the study monitor, properly authorized persons on be-
half of the sponsor, the quality assurance unit, or regulatory authorities. Personal medical information will 
always be treated as confidential. 
 
Study Modification/Discontinuation 
 
The study may be modified or discontinued at any time by the IRB, the NINDS, the sponsor, the OHRP, the 
FDA, or other government agencies as part of their duties to ensure that research subjects are protected. 
12 
PUBLICATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS 
 
Publication of the results of this trial will be governed by the policies and procedures developed by the 
Executive Committee.  Any presentation, abstract, or manuscript will be made available for review by the 
sponsor and the NINDS prior to submission. 
 
The sponsor is responsible for preparing a clinical study report, in cooperation with the principal 
investigator. The final report is signed by the sponsor and, if applicable, by the principal investigator. 
 


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When the sponsor generates reports from the data collected in this study for presentation to regulatory 
authorities, drafts may be circulated to the principal investigator for comments and suggestions. An 
endorsement of the final report will be sought from the principal investigator when required by local 
regulatory agencies. 
 
All unpublished information given to the investigator by the sponsor shall not be published or disclosed to a 
third party without the prior written consent of the sponsor. The primary publication from this study will 
report the results of the study in accordance with the current “Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts 
Submitted to Biomedical Journals” as established by the International Committee of Medical Journal 
Editors (www.ICMJE.org). Authorship will be restricted to parties who have editorial or conceptual input 
to protocol design, collection of data or analysis, interpretation of data, and manuscript preparation. The 
publications committee established by the sponsor will oversee this process. Additional publications may 
follow the first. Policies regarding the publication of the study results are defined in the financial 
agreement. 
 
No patent application based on the results of the study may be made by the investigator nor may assistance 
be given to any third party to make such an application without the written authorization of the sponsor. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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13 
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7. Wylie SA, van den Wildenberg W, Ridderinkhof KR, Claassen DO, Wooten GF, Manning CR (2012). Differen-
tial susceptibility to motor impulsivity among functional subtypes of Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psy-
chiatry 83, 1149-1154.  
 
8. Wylie SA, Ridderinkhof KR, Bashore TR, van den Wildenberg WP (2010). The effect of Parkinson's disease on 
the dynamics of on-line and proactive cognitive control during action selection. J Cogn Neurosci. 22, 2058-73. 
 
9. Rommelfanger KS, Edwards GL, Freeman KG, Liles LC, Miller GW, Weinshenker D. Norepinephrine loss pro-
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10. Auriel E, Hausdorff JM., Giladi N. Methylphenidate for the treatment of Parkinson disease and other neurolog-
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11. Pollak L, Dobronevsky Y, Prohorov T, et al. Low dose methylphenidate improves freezing in advanced Parkin-
son’s disease during off-state. J Neural Transm Suppl. 2007; 72: 145–148 
 
12. Moreau F, Delval A, Defebvre L, et al. Methylphenidate for gait hypokinesia and freezing in patients with Par-
kinson’s disease undergoing subthalamic stimulation: a multicentre, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled trial. 
Lancet Neurol. 2012; 11: 589–596 
 
13. Devos D, Moreau C, Dujardin K, Cabantchik I, Defebvre L, Bordet R. New pharmacological options for treat-
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14. Devos D, Krystkowiak P, Clement F, Dujardin K, Cottencin O, et al. Improvement of gait by chronic, high 
doses of methylphenidate in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007 
May;78(5):470-5. 
 
15. Narabayashi H, Kondo T, Nagatsu T, Hayashi A, Suzuki T. DL-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine for freezing 
symptom in parkinsonism. Adv Neurol. 1984;40:497-502. 
 
16. Tohgi H, Abe T, Takahashi S. The effects of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine on the total norepinephrine 
and dopamine concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid and freezing gait in parkinsonian patients. J Neural Transm 
Park Dis Dement Sect. 1993;5(1):27-34. 
 
17. Hauser RA, Hewitt LA, Isaacson S. Droxidopa in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension associated 
with Parkinson's disease (NOH306A). J Parkinsons Dis. 2014;4(1):57-65. 
 
18. Martínez-Martín P, Gil-Nagel A, Gracia LM, Gómez JB, Martínez-Sarriés J, Bermejo F. Unified Parkinson's 
Disease Rating Scale characteristics and structure. The Cooperative Multicentric Group. Mov Disord. 1994 
Jan;9(1):76-83. 
 
19. Nasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, Bédirian V, Charbonneau S, Whitehead V, Collin I, et al. The Montreal Cognitive 
Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53: 695–699. 
 
20. Hoehn MM, Yahr MD. Parkinsonism: onset, progression and mortality. Neurology. 1967 May;17(5):427-42. 
 
21. Sheikh J, Yesavage JA. New York: The Haworth Press; 1986. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS): Recent 
evidence and development of a shorter version. Clinical Gerontology: A Guide to Assessment and Intervention; pp. 
165–73. 
 
22. Logan GD, Cowan WB, Davis KA. On the ability to inhibit simple and choice reaction time responses: a model 
and a method. J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1984 Apr; 10(2):276-91. 
 
23. Simon JR. Reactions toward the source of stimulation. J Exp Psychol. 1969 Jul; 81(1):174-6. 
 
24. Raymond JE, Shapiro KL, Arnell KM. Temporary suppression of visual processing in an RSVP task: an 
attentional blink? J Exp Psychol Hum Percept Perform. 1992 Aug; 18(3):849-60. 
 
25. Grace J1, Stout JC, Malloy PF. Assessing frontal lobe behavioral syndromes with the frontal lobe personality 
scale. Assessment. 1999 Sep;6(3):269-84. 
 
26. Nelson AJ, Zwick D, Brody S, Doran C, Pulver L, et al. The validity of the GaitRite and the Functional 
Ambulation Performance scoring system in the analysis of Parkinson gait. NeuroRehabilitation. 2002;17(3):255-
62. 
 
27. Aron AR, Fletcher PC, Bullmore ET, Sahakian BJ, Robbins TW. Stop-signal inhibition disrupted by damage to 
right inferior frontal gyrus in humans. Nat Neurosci. 2003 Feb;6(2):115-6. 
 
28. Rubia K, Smith AB, Brammer MJ, Taylor E. Right inferior prefrontal cortex mediates response inhibition 
while mesial prefrontal cortex is responsible for error detection. Neuroimage. 2003 Sep;20(1):351-8. 


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29. Eagle DM, Robbins TW. Inhibitory control in rats performing a stop-signal reaction-time task: effects of le-
sions of the medial striatum and d-amphetamine. Behav Neurosci. 2003 Dec;117(6):1302-17. 
 
30. Rieger M, Gauggel S, Burmeister K. Inhibition of ongoing responses following frontal, nonfrontal, and basal 
ganglia lesions. Neuropsychology. 2003 Apr;17(2):272-82. 
 
31. Van den Wildenberg WP, van Boxtel GJ, van der Molen MW, Bosch DA, Speelman JD, Brunia CH. Stimula-
tion of the subthalamic region facilitates the selection and inhibition of motor responses in Parkinson's disease. J 
Cogn Neurosci. 2006 Apr;18(4):626-36. 
 
32. van den Wildenberg WP, Wylie SA, Forstmann BU, Burle B, Hasbroucq T, Ridderinkhof KR. To head or to 
heed? Beyond the surface of selective action inhibition: a review. Front Hum Neurosci. 2010;4:222. 
 
33. Nieuwenhuis S, Gilzenrat MS, Holmes BD, Cohen JD. The role of the locus coeruleus in mediating the atten-
tional blink: a neurocomputational theory. J Exp Psychol Gen. 2005 Aug;134(3):291-307. 
 
34. Guitart-Masip, M., Chowdhury, R., Sharot, T., Dayan, P., Duzel, E., & Dolan, R. J. Action controls dopamin-
ergic enhancement of reward representations. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 2012 May 8; 109(19): 7511–7516. 
 
35. van Wouwe, N. C., van den Wildenberg, W. P., Ridderinkhof, K. R., Claassen, D. O., Neimat, J. S., & Wylie, 
S. A. Easy to learn, hard to suppress: The impact of learned stimulus-outcome associations on subsequent action 
control. Brain Cogn. 2015 Dec;101:17-34. 
 
36. Lu HZ, Xu F, Rodrigue KM, Kennedy KM, Cheng YM, Flicker B et al. Alterations in Cerebral Metabolic Rate 
and Blood Supply across the Adult Lifespan. Cereb Cortex 2011; 21(6): 1426-1434. 
 
37. Uden CJ, Besser M. Test–retest reliability of temporal and spatial gait characteristics measured with an instru-
mented walkway system (GAITRite). BMC Musculoskelet Disord, 5 (2004), pp. 13–16. 
 
38. McDonough AL, Betavia M, Chen FC, Kwon S, Zia J. The validity and reliability of the GAITRite system's 
measurements: a preliminary evaluation. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 82 (2001), pp. 419–425 
 
39. Nelson AJ, Zwick D, Brody S, Doran C, Pulver L, Rooz G, et al. The validity of the GaitRite and the Function-
al Ambulation Performance scoring system in the analysis of Parkinson gait. Neurorehabilitation, 17 (2002), pp. 
255–262 
 
40. Chien SL, Lin SZ, Liang CC, Soong YS, Lin SH, Hsin YL, Lee CW, Chen SY. The efficacy of quantitative 
gait analysis by the GAITRite system in evaluation of parkinsonian bradykinesia. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2006 
Oct;12(7):438-42. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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List of Appendices 
 
 
Appendix A: 
Northera Prescribing Information  
 
Appendix B:  
Carbidopa Prescribing Information 
 
Appendix C:  
UK Parkinson Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria 
 
Appendix D: 
Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Parts 2 and 3 and Items 33 
and 39 (Part 4) 
 
Appendix E:  
Hoehn and Yahr Staging 
 
Appendix F:  
Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Versions 7.1 (Original), 7.2 (Alternate), and 
7.3 (Alternate) 
 
Appendix G: 
GDS-15 symptoms score 
 
Appendix H: 
FrSBe Scale 
 
Appendix I: 
Brand names for allowed and disallowed medications 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX A 
Northera Prescribing Information 
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF PRESCRIBING INFORMATION 
These  highlights do  not  include all  the  information needed to  use NORTHERA safely and effectively.  See full prescribing information for 
NORTHERA. 
 
NORTHERA™ (droxidopa) capsules, for oral use 
Initial U.S. Approval: 2014 
--------------------DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS----------------- 
•       100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg capsules (3) 
 
----------------------------CONTRAINDICATIONS---------------------------- 
•       None (4) 
 
--------------------WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS---------------------
 
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION 
See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. 
• 
NORTHERA can cause supine hypertension and may in-
crease  cardiovascular risk  if  supine  hypertension is  not 
well-managed (5.1). 
• 
Hyperpyrexia and confusion (5.2) 
Monitor supine blood pressure prior to and during treatment 
• 
May exacerbate symptoms in patients with existing ischemic 
and more frequently when increasing doses.   Elevating the 
heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure (5.3) 
head of the bed lessens the risk of supine hypertension, and 
• 
Allergic reactions (5.4) 
blood pressure should be measured in this position.  If supine 
hypertension cannot be managed by elevation of the head of 
the bed, reduce or discontinue NORTHERA [see Warnings and 
Precautions (5.1)]. 
 
 
------------------------------INDICATIONS AND USAGE--------------------------------- 
NORTHERA   is   indicated   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 caused by 
primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and 
pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non- 
diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment 
has not been demonstrated.   The continued effectiveness of NORTHERA 
should be assessed periodically (1). 
 
--------------------------DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION---------------------------- 
•    Starting dose is 100 mg three times during the day (2.1) 
•    Titrate by 100 mg three times daily, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg 
three times daily (2.1) 
•    Take consistently with or without food (2.1) 
•    To reduce the potential for supine hypertension, elevate the head of the 
bed and give the last dose at least 3 hours prior to bedtime (2.1) 
•    Take NORTHERA capsule whole (2.1) 
-----------------------------ADVERSE REACTIONS-------------------------- 
Headache, dizziness, nausea, hypertension, and fatigue (greater 
than 5%) (6.1) 
 
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact 
Lundbeck  at  1-800-455-1141  or  FDA  at  1-800-FDA-1088 or 
www.fda.gov/medwatch. 
 
------------------------------DRUG INTERACTIONS-------------------------- 
• 
Use  of  DOPA  decarboxylase inhibitors  may  require  dose 
adjustments for NORTHERA (7.2) 
 
------------------------USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS----------------- 
•       Nursing Mothers: Choose nursing or NORTHERA (8.3) 
• 
Patients with Renal Impairment:   Dosing recommendations 
cannot   be   provided   for   patients   with   GFR   less   than 
30 mL/min (8.6) 
 
See 17 for PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION. 
 
Revised: 08/2014
 
 
 
FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION: CONTENTS* 
 
 
8.3 
 
Nursing Mothers 
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION 
8.4 
Pediatric Use 
1    INDICATIONS AND USAGE 
8.5 
Geriatric Use 
2    DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 
8.6 
Patients with Renal Impairment 
 
3 
2.1      Dosing Information 
DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 
10 OVERDOSAGE 
10.1   Symptoms 
4 
CONTRAINDICATIONS 
10.2   Treatment 
5 
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 
11 DESCRIPTION 
 
5.1      Supine Hypertension 
5.2      Hyperpyrexia and Confusion 
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
12.1   Mechanism of Action 
 
5.3      Ischemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias, and Congestive 
Heart Failure 
5.4      Allergic Reactions 
 
 
13 
12.2   Pharmacodynamics 
12.3   Pharmacokinetics 
NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 
6    ADVERSE REACTIONS 
6.1      Clinical Trials Experience 
7    DRUG INTERACTIONS 
7.1      Drugs that Increase Blood Pressure 
7.2      Parkinson’s Medications 
8    USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 


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8.1      Pregnancy 
13.1   Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 
13.2   Animal Toxicology and Pharmacology 
14  CLINICAL STUDIES 
14.1   Studies in Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension 
16  HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 
16.1   How Supplied 
16.2   Storage and Handling 
17  PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION 
 
*Sections   or   subsections   omitted   from   the   full   prescribing 
information are not listed.


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FULL PRESCRIBING INFORMATION 
 
 
WARNING:  SUPINE HYPERTENSION 
 
Monitor supine blood pressure prior to and during treatment and more fre-
quently when increasing doses.  Elevating the head of the bed lessens the risk 
of supine hypertension, and blood pressure should be measured in this posi-
tion.  If supine hypertension cannot be managed by elevation of the head of 
the bed, reduce or discontinue NORTHERA [see Warnings and Precautions 
(5.1)]. 
 
 
1        INDICATIONS  AND USAGE 
 
NORTHERA is indicated for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, 
or the “feeling that you are about to black out” in adult patients with symptomatic neu-
rogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) caused by primary autonomic failure [Parkin-
son's disease (PD), multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure], dopamine 
beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Effectiveness  
beyond  2  weeks  of  treatment  has  not  been  established.     The continued ef-
fectiveness of NORTHERA should be assessed periodically. 
 
 
 
2        DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 
 
2.1     Dosing Information 
The recommended starting dose of NORTHERA is 100 mg, taken orally three times 
daily: upon arising in the morning, at midday, and in the late afternoon at least 3 
hours prior to bedtime (to reduce the potential for supine hypertension during sleep). 
Administer NORTHERA consistently, either with food or without food. Take 
NORTHERA  capsule  whole.  Titrate  to  symptomatic  response,  in  increments  of 
100 mg three times daily every 24 to 48 hours up to a maximum dose of 600 mg 
three times daily (i.e., a maximum total daily dose of 1,800 mg). 
 
Monitor supine blood pressure prior to initiating NORTHERA and after increasing the 
dose. 
 
Patients who miss a dose of NORTHERA should take their next scheduled dose. 
  
 
3        DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS 
 
NORTHERA capsules are available in 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg strengths as 
specified below. 
• 100 mg:  Hard gelatin capsules with “Northera” on the white body and “100” on 
the light blue cap


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• 200 mg:  Hard gelatin capsules with “Northera” on the white body and “200” on 
the light yellow cap 
• 300 mg:  Hard gelatin capsules with “Northera” on the white body and “300” on 
the light green cap 
  
 
4        CONTRAINDICATIONS 
 
None. 
  
 
5        WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS 
 
5.1     Supine Hypertension 
NORTHERA therapy may cause or exacerbate supine hypertension in patients with 
NOH. Patients should be advised to elevate the head of the bed when resting or 
sleeping.   Monitor   blood   pressure,   both   in   the   supine   position   and   in   the 
recommended head-elevated sleeping position. Reduce or discontinue NORTHERA 
if supine hypertension persists. If supine hypertension is not well-managed, 
NORTHERA may increase the risk of cardiovascular events. 
 
5.2     Hyperpyrexia and Confusion 
Post-marketing cases of a symptom complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syn-
drome (NMS) have been reported with NORTHERA use during post-marketing 
surveillance in Japan.  Observe patients carefully when the dosage of NORTHERA 
is changed or when concomitant levodopa is reduced abruptly or discontinued, espe-
cially if the patient is receiving neuroleptics. 
 
NMS is an uncommon but life-threatening syndrome characterized by fever or hyper-
thermia, muscle rigidity, involuntary movements, altered consciousness, and mental 
status changes.   The early diagnosis of this condition is important for the appropri-
ate management of these patients. 
 
5.3     Ischemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias, and Congestive Heart Failure 
NORTHERA  may  exacerbate  existing  ischemic  heart  disease,  arrhythmias,  and 
congestive heart failure.  Careful consideration should be given to this potential risk 
prior to initiating therapy in patients with these conditions. 
 
5.4         Allergic Reactions 
This product contains FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) which may cause allergic-type 
reactions (including bronchial asthma) in certain susceptible persons. Although the 
overall incidence of FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) sensitivity in the general popula-
tion is low, it is frequently seen in patients who also have aspirin hypersensitivity.


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6        ADVERSE REACTIONS 
 
The following adverse reactions with NORTHERA are included in more detail in the 
Warnings and Precautions section of the label: 
 
•    Supine Hypertension  [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)] 
•    Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)] 
• May exacerbate existing ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive 
heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)] 
 
6.1     Clinical Trials Experience 
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reac-
tion rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates 
in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical 
practice. 
 
The safety evaluation of NORTHERA is based on two placebo-controlled studies 1 to 
2 weeks in duration (Studies 301 and 302), one 8-week placebo-controlled study 
(Study 306), and two long-term, open-label extension studies (Studies 303 and 304). 
In the placebo-controlled studies, a total of 485 patients with Parkinson's disease, 
multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, dopamine beta-hydroxylase defi-
ciency, or non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy were randomized and treated, 245 with 
NORTHERA and 240 with placebo [see Clinical Studies (14)]. 
 
Placebo-Controlled  Experience 
The most commonly observed adverse reactions (those occurring at an incidence of 
greater than 5% in the NORTHERA group and with at least a 3% greater incidence 
in the NORTHERA group than in the placebo group) in NORTHERA-treated patients 
during the three placebo-controlled trials were headache, dizziness, nausea, hyper-
tension.  The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation from 
NORTHERA were hypertension or increased blood pressure and nausea. 
 
Table 1.  Most Common Adverse Reactions Occurring More Frequently in the 
NORTHERA Group 
 
 
Study 301 and Study 302 
(1 to 2 Weeks Randomized 
Treatment) 
Study 306 
(8 to 10 Weeks Randomized 
Treatment) 
Placebo 
(N=132) 
n (%) 
NORTHERA 
(N=131) 
n (%) 
Placebo 
(N=108) 
n (%) 
NORTHERA 
(N=114) 
n (%) 
Headache 
4 (3.0) 
8 (6.1) 
8 (7.4) 
15 (13.2) 
Dizziness 
2 (1.5) 
5 (3.8) 
5 (4.6) 
11 (9.6) 
Nausea 
2 (1.5) 
2 (1.5) 
5 (4.6) 
10 (8.8) 
Hypertension 
0 
2 (1.5) 
1 (0.9) 
8 (7.0) 


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Note: n=number of patients.  Table displays adverse reactions that were reported in greater than 5% 
of patients in the NORTHERA group and with at least a 3% greater incidence in the NORTHERA 
group than in the placebo group. 
 
Long-Term, Open-Label T r i a l s with NORTHERA 
In the long-term, open-label extension studies, a total of 422 patients, mean age 65 
years, were treated with NORTHERA for a mean total exposure of approximately 
one year. The commonly reported adverse events were falls (24%), urinary tract in-
fections (15%), headache (13%), syncope (13%), and dizziness (10%). 
  
 
7        DRUG INTERACTIONS 
 
7.1     Drugs that Increase Blood Pressure 
Administering NORTHERA in combination with other agents that increase blood 
pressure  (e.g.,  norepinephrine,  ephedrine,  midodrine,  and  triptans)  would  be 
expected to increase the risk for supine hypertension. 
 
7.2     Parkinson's Medications 
Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors may require dose adjustments for NORTHERA. 
 
 
 
8        USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS 
 
8.1     Pregnancy 
 
Pregnancy Category C 
There are no adequate and well-controlled trials in pregnant women. 
 
Following consecutive oral administration at doses of 60, 200, and 600 mg/kg/day to 
pregnant Sprague Dawley rats, increased incidences of lower body weight and oc-
currence of undulant rib were noted in fetuses, but they were slight and spontaneous-
ly reversed after birth. Based on dose per unit body surface area, these three doses 
correspond to approximately 0.3, 1, and 3 times, respectively, the maximum recom-
mended total daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient.  Shortening of the gestation 
period was observed in rats at 600 mg/kg/day. Low incidences of renal lesions (cysts, 
indentations, or renal pelvic dilation) were observed on the surface of the kidneys of 
female rats treated with droxidopa during the period of fetal organogenesis. No other 
potentially teratogenic effects have been observed in rats or rabbits. 
 
8.3     Nursing Mothers 
Choose nursing or NORTHERA. In rats, droxidopa is excreted in breast milk, and 
when the drug was administered to the nursing dams during the period of lactation, 
reduced weight gain and reduced survival were observed in the offspring.


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8.4     Pediatric Use 
The safety and effectiveness of NORTHERA in pediatric patients have not been es-
tablished. 
 
8.5     Geriatric Use 
A total of 197 patients with symptomatic NOH aged 75 years or above were included 
in the NORTHERA clinical program.  No overall differences in safety or effectiveness 
were observed between these subjects and younger subjects, and other reported 
clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly 
and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be 
ruled out. 
 
8.6     Patients with Renal Impairment 
NORTHERA and its metabolites are primarily cleared renally.  Patients with mild or 
moderate renal impairment (GFR greater than 30 mL/min) were included in clinical 
trials and did not have a higher frequency of adverse reactions.  Clinical experience 
with NORTHERA in patients with severe renal function impairment (GFR less than 
30 mL/min) is limited. 
  
 
10      OVERDOSAGE 
 
10.1   Symptoms 
There was one case of overdose reported during post-marketing surveillance in Ja-
pan.   The patient ingested 7,700 mg of NORTHERA and experienced a hyperten-
sive crisis that resolved promptly with treatment. 
 
10.2   Treatment 
There is no known antidote for NORTHERA overdosage.   In case of an overdose 
that may result in an excessively high blood pressure, discontinue NORTHERA and 
treat with appropriate symptomatic and supportive therapy.   Counsel patients to re-
main in a standing or seated position until their blood pressure drops below an ac-
ceptable limit. 
  
 
11      DESCRIPTION 
 
NORTHERA capsules contain droxidopa, which is a synthetic amino acid precursor 
of norepinephrine, for oral administration.  Chemically, droxidopa is (–)-threo-3-(3,4- 
Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-serine. 
 
It 
has 
the 
following 
structural 
formula:


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ss 
 
 
, 
ate 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Droxidopa is an odorle     tasteless, white to off-white crystals or crystalline powder. 
It is slightly soluble in w     r, and practically insoluble in methanol, glacial acetic acid, 
ethanol, acetone, ether, and chloroform.  It is soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid.  It 
has a molecular weight of 213.19 and a molecular formula of C9H11NO5. 
 
NORTHERA capsules also contain the following inactive ingredients: mannitol, corn 
starch, and magnesium stearate.  The capsule shell is printed with black ink.  The 
black inks contain shellac glaze, ethanol, iron oxide black, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl 
alcohol, propylene glycol, and ammonium hydroxide.  The capsule shell contains the 
following inactive ingredients: 100 mg – gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, 
black and red iron oxide; 200 mg – gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 2, black 
and yellow iron oxide; 300 mg – gelatin, titanium dioxide, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C 
Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), and FD&C Red No. 40. NORTHERA capsules differ in size 
and color by strength [see Dosage Forms and Strengths (3)]. 
  
 
12      CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
 
12.1   Mechanism of Action 
The exact mechanism of action of NORTHERA in the treatment of neurogenic or-
thostatic hypotension is unknown. NORTHERA is a synthetic amino acid analog that 
is directly metabolized to norepinephrine by dopa-decarboxylase, which is extensive-
ly distributed throughout the body. NORTHERA is believed to exert its pharmacologi-
cal effects through norepinephrine and not through the parent molecule or   other   
metabolites.   Norepinephrine   increases   blood   pressure   by   inducing 
peripheral arterial and venous vasoconstriction.   NORTHERA in humans induces 
small and transient rises in plasma norepinephrine. 
 
12.2   Pharmacodynamics 
Peak droxidopa plasma concentrations are associated with increases in systolic and 
diastolic blood pressures.  Droxidopa has no clinically significant effect on standing 
or supine heart rates in patients with autonomic failure. 
 
Cardiac Electrophysiology 
No prolongation of the QTc interval was observed with NORTHERA at single oral 
doses up to 2,000 mg, as shown in a dedicated thorough QT study.


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12.3   Pharmacokinetics 
 
Absorption 
Peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) of droxidopa were reached by 1 to 4 hours post- 
dose (mean of approximately 2 hours) in healthy volunteers.  High-fat meals have a 
moderate impact on droxidopa exposure with Cmax and area under the plasma con-
centration-time curve (AUC) decreasing by 35% and 20%, respectively. The Cmax was 
delayed by approximately 2 hours with a high-fat meal. 
 
Distribution 
Pre-clinical studies suggest that droxidopa can cross the blood brain barrier. Drox-
idopa  exhibits  plasma  protein  binding  of  75%  at  100  ng/mL  and  26%  at 
10,000 ng/mL.  The estimated apparent volume of distribution of droxidopa is about 
200 L in humans. 
 
Metabolism 
The  metabolism  of  droxidopa  is  mediated  by  catecholamine  pathway  and  not 
through   the   cytochrome   P450   system.   Droxidopa   is   initially   converted   to 
methoxylated dihydroxyphenylserine (3-OM-DOPS), a major metabolite, by catechol- 
O-methyltransferase (COMT), to norepinephrine by DOPA decarboxylase (DDC), or 
to protocatechualdehyde by DOPS aldolase. After oral dosing in humans, plasma 
norepinephrine levels peak within 3 to 4 hours but are generally very low (less than 
1 ng/mL) and variable with no consistent relationship with dose. The contribution of 
the metabolites of droxidopa other than norepinephrine to its pharmacological effects 
is not well understood. 
 
Excretion 
The mean elimination half-life of droxidopa is approximately 2.5 hours in humans. 
The major route of elimination of droxidopa and its metabolites is via the kidneys in 
both animals and in humans. Studies in animals showed that ~75% of the radio-
labeled dose was excreted in urine within 24 hours of oral dosing. 
 
Special Populations 
There are no clinically relevant effects of age, body mass index, or sex on the phar-
macokinetics of droxidopa. A population pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that he-
patic   function, assessed   by  aspartate   aminotransferase   (AST),   alanine 
aminotransferase  (ALT),   alkaline   phosphatase,   and  total   bilirubin,   did  not 
influence t h e  exposure  to droxidopa. The controlled clinical trials included patients 
with  mild  to  moderate  renal  impairment.    No  dose  adjustments  are  required  in 
patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. 
 
Drug Interactions 
No dedicated drug-drug interaction studies were performed for droxidopa. Patients in 
the Phase 3 trials with NORTHERA received concomitant levodopa/carbidopa, do-
pamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors and other medications used to 
treat Parkinson’s disease.  Carbidopa, a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor,


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could prevent the conversion of NORTHERA to norepinephrine outside of the central 
nervous system (CNS).    Patients taking NORTHERA with L-DOPA/dopa- decar-
boxylase inhibitor combination drugs had decreased clearance of NORTHERA, an 
increase in exposure (AUC) to droxidopa of approximately 100%, and an increase in 
exposure to 3-OM-DOPS of approximately 50%.  However, in clinical trials, it was 
found that the decreased clearance was not associated with a significant need for a 
different treatment dose  or  increases  in  associated  adverse  events.    Dopamine 
agonists, amantadine derivatives, and MAO-B  inhibitors do not appear to affect 
NORTHERA clearance, and no dose adjustments are required. 
  
 
13      NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY 
 
13.1   Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment  of Fertility 
Long-term  studies have  been conducted  at dosages  up to 1,000  mg/kg/day  in 
mice and up to 100 mg/kg/day in rats with no indication of carcinogenic effects. 
Based on dose per unit body surface area, these two doses correspond  to approx-
imately 3 and  0.5  times,  respectively,  the maximum  recommended  total daily 
dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient. Droxidopa was clastogenic in Chinese ham-
ster ovary cells  (chromosome aberration assay),  but was  not mutagenic in bac-
teria (Ames assay), and was not clastogenic in a mouse micronucleus  assay. 
 
Studies in rats show that droxidopa has no effect on fertility. 
 
13.2   Animal Toxicology  and Pharmacology 
Rats and mice treated for 52 and 80 weeks, respectively, at doses similar to human 
doses (100 to 300 mg/kg/day for rats and 300 to 1,000 mg/kg/day for mice) had 
increased incidences of renal and cardiac lesions (rats and mice) and deaths (rats 
only). No signs of toxicity were observed in monkeys or dogs given droxidopa for 13 
weeks at doses 32 times (3,000 mg/kg/day) and 37 times (2,000 mg/kg/day), respec-
tively, the maximum recommended total daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient, 
when based on body surface area. 
  
 
14      CLINICAL STUDIES 
 
14.1   Studies in Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension 
Clinical studies (described below) examined the efficacy of NORTHERA in the short- 
term (1 to 2 weeks) and over longer-term periods (8 weeks; 3 months).  Studies 301 
and 306B showed a treatment effect of NORTHERA at Week 1, but none of the stud-
ies demonstrated continued efficacy beyond 2 weeks of treatment. 
 
Study 306B was a multi-center, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, paral-
lel-group study in patients with symptomatic NOH and Parkinson’s disease. Patients 
entering the study were required to have a decrease of at least 20 mm Hg or 10 
mm Hg, respectively, in systolic or diastolic blood pressure, within 3 minutes


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after standing, as  well as  symptoms  associated  with  neurogenic  orthostatic
hypotension. The study had an initial dose titration period that lasted up to 2 weeks
in which patients received placebo or 100 to 600 mg of NORTHERA three times
daily, followed by an 8-week treatment period. 
 
Efficacy was measured using the OHSA Item #1 score (“dizziness, lightheadedness, 
feeling faint, and feeling like you might black out”) at Week 1, in patients who had 
completed titration and 1 week of maintenance therapy. 
 
A total of 171 patients were enrolled, and 147 patients were included in the efficacy 
analysis. The mean age was 72 years, and patients were mostly Caucasian. During
the study, 94% of placebo-treated patients and 88% on NORTHERA were taking
dopa-decarboxylase  inhibitors;  17% of  placebo-treated patients and  26%  on
NORTHERA 
were    taking    fludrocortisone. 
There 
were    more    premature
discontinuations in the NORTHERA group (28%) than in the placebo group (20%). 
 
In both groups, the mean baseline dizziness score was 5.1 on an 11-point scale.  At 
Week  1,  patients  showed  a  statistically  significant  mean  0.9-unit  decrease  in 
dizziness with NORTHERA versus placebo (P=0.028), but the effect did not persist 
beyond Week 1. The data at all time points are shown in Figure 1. 
 
Patients receiving NORTHERA also had a greater increase, compared to placebo, in 
the Week 1 lowest standing systolic blood pressure within 3 minutes after standing 
(5.6 mm Hg; P=0.032). 
 
Figure 1.      Mean Change in OHSA Item 1 Score by Week in Study 306B 
 
 
 
 
 
* P < 0.05 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note: The graph is based on observed data only. The error bars are the 95% confidence interval of 
the mean change from baseline in OHSA Item 1 scores.


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Percent of Subjects 
Figure 2.      Distribution of Patients by Change in OHSA Item 1, Baseline to 
Week 1, in Study 306B 
 
Figure 2 shows the distribution of changes from Baseline to Week 1 in the OHSA 
Item #1 score.   Overall, the figure shows that patients treated with NORTHERA im-
proved more than those treated with placebo. 
 
20 
Worse                                                       Better 
  
 
15                 Placebo 
Droxidopa 
 
 
 
 
10 
 
 
 
 
5 
 
 
 
 
0 
-8    -7    -6    -5    -4    -3    -2    -1     0     1     2     3     4     5     6     7     8 
Improvement in OHSA Question 1 
 
Study 301 was a multicenter, multinational, double-blind, randomized, placebo- con-
trolled, parallel-group study in patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypo-
tension.  The study included an initial open-label dose titration period, a 7-day wash-
out period, and a randomized double-blind 7-day treatment period.   To be eligible for 
enrollment, patients were required to have a decrease in systolic or diastolic blood 
pressure of at least 20 or 10 mm Hg, respectively, within 3 minutes after standing. 
The study was enriched, such that only patients who had been identified as ‘re-
sponders’ during the titration period were randomized to NORTHERA or  placebo.  
To  be  considered  a  responder,  a  patient  had  to  demonstrate improvement on 
the OHSA Item #1 score by at least 1 point, as well as an increase in systolic blood 
pressure of at least 10 mm Hg post-standing, during the open-label dose titration pe-
riod.  Patients who dropped out during the titration period because of side effects or 
other reasons were also not included in the double-blind portion of the study. 
 
Patients had a primary diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (n=60), pure autonomic fail-
ure (n=36), or multiple system atrophy (n=26).  The mean age was 60 years, and 
most were Caucasian. 45% of patients were taking dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors, 
and 
29% 
were 
taking 
fludrocortisone.


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Efficacy was measured using the Orthostatic Hypotension Questionnaire (OHQ), a 
patient-reported outcome that measures symptoms of NOH and their impact on the 
patient’s ability to perform daily activities that require standing and walking.   The 
OHQ  includes  OHSA  Item  #1  as  one  of  several  components.  A  statistically 
significant  treatment  effect  was  not  demonstrated  on  OHQ  (treatment  effect  of 
0.4 unit, P=0.19). 
 
The mean baseline dizziness score on OHSA Item #1 (“dizziness, lightheadedness, 
feeling faint, and feeling like you might black out”) was 5.2 units on an 11-point scale. 
At Week 1 of treatment, patients showed a mean 0.7-unit decrease in dizziness with 
NORTHERA versus placebo (P=0.06). 
 
Study 302 (n=101) was a placebo-controlled, 2-week randomized withdrawal study 
of NORTHERA in patients with symptomatic NOH.   Study 303 (n=75) was an exten-
sion of Studies 301 and 302, where patients received their titrated dose of 
NORTHERA for 3 months and then entered a 2-week randomized withdrawal phase. 
Neither study showed a statistically significant difference between treatment arms on 
its primary endpoint.   Considering these data, the effectiveness of NORTHERA be-
yond 2 weeks is uncertain, and patients should be evaluated periodically to deter-
mine whether NORTHERA is continuing to provide a benefit. 
 
 
 
16      HOW  SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING 
 
16.1   How Supplied 
NORTHERA capsules are supplied in the following dosage strengths: 
 
100 mg:  Hard gelatin, size 3 capsule, with an opaque light blue cap and an opaque 
white body, printed with “Northera” on body and “100” on cap, filled with a white to 
light brown powder. 
 
200 mg:   Hard gelatin, size 2 capsule, with an opaque light yellow cap and an 
opaque white body, printed with “Northera” on body and “200” on cap, filled with a 
white to light brown powder. 
 
300 mg:  Hard gelatin, size 1 capsule, with an opaque light green cap and an opaque 
white body, printed with “Northera” on body and “300” on cap, filled with a white to 
light brown powder. 
 
100 mg 90-count bottle (NDC code# 67386-820-19) 
 
200 mg 90-count bottle (NDC code# 67386-821-19) 
 
300 mg 90-count bottle (NDC code# 67386-822-19)


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16.2   Storage  and Handling 
NORTHERA capsules should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted 
to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature]. 
 
17      PATIENT COUNSELING  INFORMATION Eleva-
tions in Blood Pressure 
Counsel  patients  that  NORTHERA  causes  elevations  in  blood  pressure  and increases the 
risk of supine hypertension, which could lead to strokes, heart attacks, and death. Instruct pa-
tients to rest and sleep in an upper-body elevated position and monitor blood pressure.  Instruct 
patients how to manage observed blood pressure elevations.   To reduce the risk of supine 
hypertension, in addition to raising the upper body, the late afternoon dose of NORTHERA 
should be taken at least three hours before bedtime. 
 
Concomitant Treatments 
Counsel patients about the concomitant use of drugs to treat other conditions that may have 
an additive effect with NORTHERA [see Drug Interactions (7)]. 
 
Pregnancy 
Counsel patients to consult a physician if they are nursing, pregnant, or planning to become 
pregnant while taking NORTHERA. 
 
Food 
Patients should take NORTHERA the same way each time, either with food or without 
food. 
 
Missed Dose 
If a dose is missed, patients should take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time and 
should not double the dose. 
 
Manufactured for: Lundbeck 
Deerfield,  IL 60015, U.S.A. 
  
 
 
 
TM of Lundbeck NA Ltd. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX B 
Carbidopa Prescribing Information 
 
 
 
LODOSYN
®
 
 
(CARBIDOPA) 
TABLETS 
 
When LODOSYN (Carbidopa) is to be given to carbidopa-naive patients who are being 
treated with levodopa, the two drugs should be given at the same time, starting with no 
more than 20 to 25% of the previous daily dosage of levodopa when given without 
LODOSYN (Carbidopa). At least twelve hours should elapse between the last dose of 
levodopa and initiation of therapy with LODOSYN (Carbidopa) and levodopa. See the 
WARNINGS and DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sections before initiating thera-
py. 
 
DESCRIPTION 
 
Carbidopa, an inhibitor of aromatic amino acid decarboxylation, is a white, crystalline 
compound, slightly soluble in water, with a molecular weight of 244.3. It is designated 
chemically as (–)-L-α-hydrazino-α-methyl-β-(3,4-dihydroxybenzene) propanoic acid 
monohydrate. Its empirical formula is C10H14N2O4•H2O and its structural formula is: 
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
LODOSYN (Carbidopa) tablets contain 25 mg of carbidopa. Inactive ingredients are 
cellulose,FD&C Yellow 6, magnesium stearate and starch. 
  
Tablet content is expressed in terms of anhydrous carbidopa which has a molecular 
weight of 226.3. 
  
 
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY 
 
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder of the extrapyramidal 
nervous system affecting the mobility and control of the skeletal muscular system. Its 


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characteristic features include resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinetic movements. Symp-
tomatic treatments, such as levodopa therapies, may permit the patient better mobility.


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Mechanism of Action 
 
Current evidence indicates that symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are related to depletion of do-
pamine in the corpus striatum. Administration of dopamine is ineffective in the treatment of 
Parkinson’s disease apparently because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. 
However, levodopa, the metabolic precursor of dopamine, does cross the blood- brain barrier, 
and presumably is converted to dopamine in the brain. This is thought to be the mechanism 
whereby levodopa relieves symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. 
 
Pharmacodynamics 
 
When levodopa is administered orally it is rapidly decarboxylated to dopamine in extracerebral 
tissues so that only a small portion of a given dose is transported unchanged to the central 
nervous system. For this reason, large doses of levodopa are required for adequate therapeu-
tic effect and these may often be accompanied by nausea and other adverse reactions, 
some of which are attributable to dopamine formed in extracerebral tissues. 
 
The incidence of levodopa-induced nausea and vomiting is less when LODOSYN is used with 
levodopa than when levodopa is used without LODOSYN. In many patients, this reduction 
in nausea and vomiting will permit more rapid dosage titration. 
  
Carbidopa inhibits decarboxylation of peripheral levodopa. Carbidopa has not been demon-
strated to have any overt pharmacodynamic actions in the recommended doses. It does not 
appear to cross the blood-brain barrier readily and does not affect the metabolism of levodopa 
within the central nervous system at doses of carbidopa that are recommended for maximum 
effective inhibition of peripheral decarboxylation of levodopa. 
 
Since its decarboxylase-inhibiting activity is limited primarily to extracerebral tissues, admin-
istration of carbidopa with levodopa makes more levodopa available for transport to the brain. 
However, since levodopa and carbidopa compete with certain amino acids for transport across 
the gut wall, the absorption of levodopa and carbidopa may be impaired in some patients on a 
high protein diet. 
 
Pharmacokinetics 
 
Carbidopa reduces the amount of levodopa required to produce a given response by about 75% 
and, when administered with levodopa, increases both plasma levels and the plasma half-life of 
levodopa, and decreases plasma and urinary dopamine and homovanillic acid. 
 
In clinical pharmacologic studies, simultaneous administration of separate tablets of


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carbidopa and levodopa produced greater urinary excretion of levodopa in proportion to the 
excretion of dopamine when compared to the two drugs administered at separate times. 
 
Supplemental pyridoxine (vitamin B6) can be given to patients when they are receiving 
LODOSYN and levodopa concomitantly or the fixed combination carbidopa-levodopa or car-
bidopa-levodopa extended release.  Previous reports in the medical literature cautioned that 
high doses of vitamin B6 should not be taken by patients on levodopa therapy 
alone because exogenously administered pyridoxine would enhance the metabolism of levodopa 
to dopamine. The introduction of carbidopa to levodopa therapy, which inhibits the peripheral 
decarboxylation of levodopa to dopamine, counteracts the metabolic-enhancing effect of pyri-
doxine. 
 
Carbidopa is combined with levodopa in carbidopa-levodopa and carbidopa-levodopa 
extended release tablets. 
 
INDICATIONS AND USAGE 
 
LODOSYN is indicated for use with carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa in the treatment of 
the symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (paralysis agitans), postencephalitic parkin-
sonism, and symptomatic parkinsonism, which may follow injury to the nervous system by 
carbon monoxide intoxication and/or manganese intoxication. 
 
LODOSYN is for use with carbidopa-levodopa in patients for whom the dosage of 
carbidopa-levodopa provides less than adequate daily dosage (usually 70 mg daily) of 
carbidopa. 
 
LODOSYN is for use with levodopa in the occasional patient whose dosage requirement of 
carbidopa and levodopa necessitates separate titration of each medication. 
 
LODOSYN is used with carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa to permit the administration 
of lower doses of levodopa with reduced nausea and vomiting, more rapid dosage titration, 
and with a somewhat smoother response. However, patients with markedly irregular (“on-off”) 
responses to levodopa have not been shown to benefit from the addition of carbidopa. 
  
Since carbidopa prevents the reversal of levodopa effects caused by pyridoxine, supplemental 
pyridoxine (vitamin B6), can be given to patients when they are receiving carbidopa and levo-
dopa concomitantly or as carbidopa-levodopa. 
 
Although the administration of LODOSYN permits control of parkinsonism and Parkinson’s 
disease with much lower doses of levodopa, there is no conclusive evidence at present that


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this is beneficial other than in reducing nausea and vomiting, permitting more rapid titration, 
and providing a somewhat smoother response to levodopa. 
 
Certain patients who responded poorly to levodopa alone have improved when carbidopa and 
levodopa were given concurrently. This was most likely due to decreased peripheral decar-
boxylation of levodopa rather than to a primary effect of carbidopa on the peripheral nervous 
system. Carbidopa has not been shown to enhance the intrinsic efficacy of levodopa. 
 
In deciding whether to give LODOSYN with carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa to pa-
tients who have nausea and/or vomiting, the physician should be aware that, while many 
patients may be expected to improve, some may not. Since one cannot predict which patients 
are likely to improve, this can only be determined by a trial of therapy. It should be further 
noted that in controlled trials comparing carbidopa and levodopa with levodopa alone, about 
half the patients with nausea and/or vomiting on levodopa alone improved spontaneously 
despite being retained on the same dose of levodopa during the controlled portion of the tri-
al. 
 
 
CONTRAINDICATIONS 
 
LODOSYN is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any component of this 
drug. 
 
Nonselective monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors  are contraindicated  for use with levodo-
pa or carbidopa-levodopa combination products with or without LODOSYN. These inhibitors 
must be discontinued at least two weeks prior to initiating therapy with levodopa. Carbidopa-
levodopa or levodopa may be administered concomitantly with the manufacturer’s recom-
mended dose of an MAO inhibitor with selectivity for MAO type B (e.g., selegiline HCl) 
(see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions). 
 
Levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa products, with or without LODOSYN, are contra- indicated in 
patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. 
 
 
WARNINGS 
 
LODOSYN (Carbidopa) has no antiparkinsonian effect when given alone. It is indicated 
for use with carbidopa-levodopa or levodopa. LODOSYN (Carbidopa) does not decrease 
adverse reactions due to central effects of levodopa. 
 
When LODOSYN (Carbidopa) is to be given to carbidopa-naive patients who are 
being treated with levodopa alone, the two drugs should be given at the same time.


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At least twelve hours should elapse between the last dose of levodopa and initiation of 
therapy with LODOSYN (Carbidopa) and levodopa in combination. Start with no more 
than one-fifth (20%) to one-fourth (25%) of the previous daily dosage of levodopa when 
given without LODOSYN (Carbidopa).  See the DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION sec-
tion before initiating therapy. 
  
The addition of LODOSYN with levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa reduces the peripheral 
effects (nausea, vomiting) due to decarboxylation of levodopa; however, LODOSYN does 
not decrease the adverse reactions due to the central effects of levodopa. Because 
LODOSYN permits more levodopa to reach the brain and more dopamine to be formed, 
certain adverse central nervous system (CNS) effects, e.g., dyskinesias (involuntary 
movements), may occur at lower dosages and sooner with levodopa in combination with 
LODOSYN than with levodopa alone. 
  
Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence 
 
 
Patients taking carbidopa-levodopa products alone or with other dopaminergic drugs have re-
ported suddenly falling asleep without prior warning of sleepiness while engaged in activities of 
daily living (includes operation of motor vehicles). Some of these episodes resulted in automo-
bile accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on dopaminergic 
medications, some did perceive that they had no warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, 
and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Some patients reported these 
events one year after the initiation of treatment. 
 
 
Falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living usually occurs in patients experiencing 
pre-existing somnolence, although some patients may not give such a history. For this reason, 
prescribers should continually reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness especially since 
some of the events occur after the start of treatment. Prescribers should be aware that patients 
may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or 
sleepiness during specific activities. Patients who have already experienced somnolence or an 
episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities during treatment with 
LODOSYN when taking it with other carbidopa-levodopa products.


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Before initiating treatment with LODOSYN, advise patients about the potential to develop 
drowsiness and ask specifically about factors that may increase the risk for somnolence with 
LODOSYN such as the use of concomitant sedating medications and the presence of sleep dis-
orders. Consider discontinuing LODOSYN in patients who report significant daytime sleepi-
ness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., con-
versations, eating, etc.). If treatment with LODOSYN continues, patients should be advised not 
to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities that might result in harm if the pa-
tients become somnolent. There is insufficient information to establish that dose reduction will 
eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. 
  
Hyperpyrexia and Confusion: 
 
Sporadic cases of a symptom complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) have 
been reported in association with dose reductions or withdrawal of certain antiparkinsonian 
agents such as levodopa, carbidopa-levodopa, or carbidopa-levodopa extended-release. There-
fore, patients should be observed carefully when the dosage of levodopa or carbidopa- levo-
dopa is reduced abruptly or discontinued, especially if the patient is receiving 
neuroleptics. 
  
 
NMS is an uncommon but life-threatening syndrome characterized by fever or hyperthermia. 
Neurological findings, including muscle rigidity, involuntary movements, altered conscious-
ness,  mental  status  changes; other disturbances, such as autonomic dysfunction, tachycardia,   
tachypnea,   sweating,   hyper- or hypotension; laboratory findings, such  as creatine phospho-
kinase elevation, leukocytosis, myoglobinuria, and increased serum myoglobin, have been re-
ported. 
 
 
The early diagnosis of this condition is important for the appropriate management of these 
patients. Considering NMS as a possible diagnosis and ruling out other acute illnesses 
(e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection, etc.) is essential. This may be especially complex if the 
clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness and untreated or inadequately treated 
extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (EPS). Other important considerations in the differential


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diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever, and primary central 
nervous system (CNS) pathology. 
 
 
The management of NMS should include: 1) intensive symptomatic treatment  and medical 
monitoring and 2) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific 
treatments are available. Dopamine agonists, such as bromocriptine, and muscle relaxants, 
such as dantrolene, are often used in the treatment of NMS; however, their effectiveness has 
not been demonstrated in controlled studies. 
 
PRECAUTIONS   
 
General  
 
As with levodopa alone, periodic evaluations of hepatic, hematopoietic, cardiovascular, and 
renal function are recommended during extended concomitant therapy with LODOSYN and 
levodopa, or with LODOSYN and carbidopa-levodopa or any combination of these drugs. 
 
Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors 
 
 
Postmarketing reports suggest that patients treated with anti-Parkinson medications can experi-
ence intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money uncontrolla-
bly, binge eating, and other intense urges. Patients may be unable to control these urges while 
taking one or more of the medications that are used for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and 
that increase central dopaminergic tone, including Lodosyn taken with levodopa and carbidopa.  
In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose of anti-
Parkinson medications was reduced or discontinued. Because patients may not recognize these 
behaviors as abnormal it is important for prescribers to specifically ask patients or their caregiv-
ers about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled 
spending or other urges while being treated with Lodosyn. Physicians should consider dose re-
duction or stopping Lodosyn or levodopa if a patient develops such urges while taking Lodosyn 
with carbidopa/levodopa. 
 
 
Hallucinations/Psychotic-Like Behavior


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Hallucinations and psychotic like behavior have been reported with dopaminergic medications. 
In general, hallucinations present shortly after the initiation of therapy and may be responsive to 
dose reduction in levodopa. Hallucinations may be accompanied by confusion and to a lesser 
extent sleep disorder (insomnia) and excessive dreaming. LODOSYN when taken with car-
bidopa-levodopa may have similar effects on thinking and behavior. This abnormal thinking and 
behavior may present with one or more symptoms, including paranoid ideation, delusions, 
hallucinations, confusion, psychotic-like behavior, disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, 
and delirium. 
 
 
Ordinarily, patients with a major psychotic disorder should not be treated with LODOSYN and 
carbidopa-levodopa, because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis. In addition, certain medica-
tions used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and may de-
crease the effectiveness of LODOSYN. 
 
 
Dyskinesia 
 
 
LODOSYN (Carbidopa) may potentiate the dopaminergic side effects of levodopa and may 
cause or exacerbate preexisting dyskinesia. 
 
 
Depression 
 
 
Patients treated with LODOSYN and carbidopa-levodopa should be observed carefully for the 
development of depression with concomitant suicidal tendencies. 
 
 
Melanoma 
 
 
Epidemiological studies have shown that patients with Parkinson’s disease have a higher risk (2- 
to approximately 6-fold higher) of developing melanoma than the general population. Whether 
the observed increased risk was due to Parkinson’s disease or other factors, such as drugs used 
to treat Parkinson’s disease, is unclear. 
 
 
 
For the reasons stated above, patients and providers are advised to monitor for melanomas 
frequently and on a regular basis when using LODOSYN tablets for Parkinson’s disease.


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Ideally, periodic skin examinations should be performed by appropriately qualified individuals 
 
(e.g., dermatologists). 
 
 
Information for Patients 
 
It is important that LODOSYN with levodopa be taken at regular intervals according to the 
schedule outlined by the health care provider.  Caution patients not to change the prescribed 
dosage regimen and not to add any additional antiparkinson medications, including other 
carbidopa-levodopa preparations without first consulting a physician. 
 
Advise patients that sometimes a ‘wearing-off’ effect may occur at the end of the dosing interval. 
Tell patients to notify the prescriber if such response poses a problem to lifestyle. 
 
 
Patients should be advised that occasionally dark color (red, brown, or black) may appear in sali-
va, urine, or sweat after ingestion of LODOSYN and levodopa. Although the color appears to be 
clinically insignificant, garments may become discolored. 
 
 
The patient should be advised that a change in diet to foods that are high in protein may delay the 
absorption of levodopa and may reduce the amount taken up in the circulation. Excessive acidity 
also delays stomach emptying thus delaying the absorption of levodopa. Iron salts (such as in 
multivitamin tablets) may also reduce the amount of levodopa available in the body. The above 
factors may reduce the clinical effectiveness of the LODOSYN and levodopa therapy. 
 
 
Alert patients to the possibility of sudden onset of sleep during daily activities, in some cases 
without awareness or warning signs, when they are taking dopaminergic agents, including levo-
dopa. Advise patients to exercise caution while driving or operating machinery and that if they 
have experience somnolence and/or sudden sleep onset, they must refrain from these activities. 
(See WARNINGS, Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence General.) 
 
 
There have been reports of patients experiencing intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, 
and other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the 
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of Parkinson’s disease, including LODOSYN and levodopa. Although it is not proven that the 
medications caused these events, these urges were reported to have stopped in some cases when 
the dose was reduced or the medication was stopped. Prescribers should ask patients about the 
development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, or other intense urges while 
taking LODOSYN and levodopa. Physicians should consider dose reduction or stopping 
Lodosyn and levodopa if a patient develops such urges while taking Lodosyn with car-
bidopa/levodopa (See PRECAUTIONS, Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors). 
 
Laboratory Tests 
 
Abnormalities in laboratory tests may include elevations of liver function tests such as 
alkaline phosphatase, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), lactic dehydrogenase, and bilirubin. 
Abnormalities in blood urea nitrogen and positive Coombs test have also been reported. 
Commonly, levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and uric acid are lower during con-
comitant administration of carbidopa and levodopa than with levodopa alone. 
 
 
Levodopa and carbidopa-levodopa combination products may cause a false-positive reaction for 
urinary ketone bodies when a test tape is used for determination of ketonuria. This reaction will 
not be altered by boiling the urine specimen. False-negative tests may result with the use of 
glucose-oxidase methods of testing for glucosuria. 
 
Drug Interactions 
 
Caution should be exercised when the following drugs are administered concomitantly with 
LODOSYN (Carbidopa) given with levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa fixed dose combination 
products. 
 
 
Symptomatic postural hypotension has occurred when LODOSYN, given with levodopa or 
carbidopa-levodopa combination products, was added to the treatment of a patient re-
ceiving antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, when therapy with LODOSYN, given with or 
without levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa combination products, is started, dosage adjustment of 
the antihypertensive drug may be required.


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For patients receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Type A or B), see CONTRAINDI-
CATIONS. Concomitant therapy with selegiline or rasigiline and LODOSYN and car-
bidopa-levodopa may be associated with severe orthostatic hypotension not attributable to 
carbidopa-levodopa alone (see CONTRAINDICATIONS). 
 
There have been rare reports of adverse reactions, including hypertension and dyskinesia, 
resulting from the concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants and carbidopa-levodopa 
preparations. 
 
Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists (e.g., phenothiazines, butyrophenones, risperidone) and 
isoniazid may reduce the therapeutic effects of levodopa. In addition, the beneficial effects of 
levodopa in Parkinson’s disease have been reported to be reversed by phenytoin and papaver-
ine. Patients taking these drugs with LODOSYN and levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa combi-
nation products should be carefully observed for loss of therapeutic response 
 
LODOSYN and iron salts or multi vitamins containing iron salts should be co administered 
with caution. Iron salts c a n  f or m  c he l a t e s  w i t h  l e vod opa  a nd  c a r bi dopa  a nd 
c ons e que nt l y reduce the bioavailability of carbidopa and levodopa. 
  
Although metoclopramide may increase the bioavailability of levodopa by increasing 
gastric emptying, metoclopramide may also adversely affect disease control by its dopa-
mine receptor antagonistic properties. 
 
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility 
 
Carcinogenesis 
 
There were no significant differences between treated and control rats with respect to mor-
tality or neoplasia in  a 96-week  study of  carbidopa at  oral  doses  of 25,  45,  or 135 
mg/kg/day. Combinations of carbidopa and levodopa (10-20, 10-50, 10-100 mg/kg/day) were 
given orally to rats for 106 weeks. No effect on mortality or incidence and type of neoplasia 
was seen when compared to concurrent controls. 
Mutagenesis 
 
Mutagenicity studies have not been performed with either carbidopa or the combination of 
carbidopa and levodopa. 
 
Fertility


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Carbidopa had no effect on the mating performance, fertility, or survival of the young when 
administered orally to rats at doses of 30, 60, or 120 mg/kg/day. The highest dose caused a 
moderate decrease in body weight gain in males. 
 
The administration of carbidopa-levodopa at dose levels of 10-20, 10-50, or 10-100 
mg/kg/day did not adversely affect the fertility of male or female rats, their reproductive 
performance, or the growth and survival of the young. 
  
Pregnancy 
 
Pregnancy Category C:  There are no adequate and well-controlled studies with LODOSYN 
in pregnant women. It has been reported from individual cases that levodopa crosses the hu-
man placental barrier, enters the fetus, and  is metabolized. Carbidopa concentrations in 
fetal tissue appeared to be minimal. LODOSYN should be used during pregnancy only if the 
potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. 
 
Carbidopa, at doses as high as 120 mg/kg/day, was without teratogenic effects in the 
mouse or  rabbit.  In the rabbit, but not in the mouse, carbidopa-levodopa produced visceral 
anomalies, similar to those seen with levodopa alone, at approximately 7 times the maximum 
recommended human dose. The teratogenic effect of levodopa in rabbits was unchanged by 
the concomitant administration of carbidopa. 
 
Nursing Mothers 
 
It is not known whether carbidopa is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are 
excreted in human milk, and because of their potential for serious adverse reactions in 
nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discon-
tinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the nursing wom-
an. 
 
Pediatric Use 
 
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established, and use of the drug 
in patients below the age of 18 is not recommended.


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Geriatric Use 
  
Clinical studies of LODOSYN did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to 
determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other clinical experience has 
not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose 
selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing 
range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and con-
comitant disease and other drug therapy. 
  
 
ADVERSE REACTIONS 
 
Carbidopa has not been demonstrated to have any overt pharmacodynamic actions in the 
recommended doses. The only adverse reactions that have been observed have been with 
concomitant use of carbidopa with other drugs such as levodopa, and with carbidopa- 
levodopa combination products. 
 
When LODOSYN is administered concomitantly with levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa com-
bination products, the most common adverse reactions have included dyskinesias such as 
choreiform, dystonic, and other involuntary movements, and nausea. Other adverse reactions 
reported with LODOSYN when administered concomitantly with levodopa alone or 
carbidopa-levodopa combination products were psychotic episodes including delusions, hal-
lucinations, and paranoid ideation, depression with or without development of suicidal 
tendencies, and dementia. Convulsions also have occurred; however, a causal relationship with 
concomitant use of LODOSYN and levodopa has not been established. 
  
The following other adverse reactions have been reported with levodopa and carbidopa- 
levodopa combination products. These same adverse reactions may also occur when 
LODOSYN is administered with these products. 
 
Body as a Whole: abdominal pain and distress, asthenia, chest pain, fatigue. 
  
Cardiovascular: cardiac irregularities, hypertension, myocardial infarction, hypotension 
including orthostatic hypotension, palpitation, phlebitis, syncope. 
 
Gastrointestinal: anorexia, bruxism, burning sensation of the tongue, constipation, dark sali-
va,  development of duodenal ulcer, diarrhea,  dry  mouth,  dyspepsia, dysphagia, flatulence, 
gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal pain, heartburn, hiccups, sialorrhea, taste alterations, 
vomiting.


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Hematologic: hemolytic and non-hemolytic anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, 
agranulocytosis. 
 
Hypersensitivity:  angioedema, urticaria, pruritus, Henoch-Schonlein purpura, bullous lesions 
(including pemphigus-like reactions). 
  
Metabolic: edema, weight gain, weight loss. 
 
Musculoskeletal: back pain, leg pain, muscle cramps, shoulder pain. 
 
Nervous System/Psychiatric: Psychotic episodes including delusions, hallucinations and para-
noid ideation, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS, see WARNINGS), bradykinetic episodes 
(“on-off” phenomenon), confusion, agitation, dizziness, somnolence, dream abnormalities in-
cluding nightmares, insomnia, paresthesia, headache, depression with or without development of 
suicidal tendencies, dementia, pathological gambling, increased libido including hypersexuality, 
impulse control symptoms. Convulsions also have occurred; however, a causal relationship with 
LODOSYN and levodopa, has not been established. 
 
Respiratory: upper respiratory infection, dyspnea, pharyngeal pain, cough. 
 
 
Skin: flushing, increased sweating, malignant melanoma (see also CONTRAINDICATIONS), 
rash, alopecia, dark sweat. 
 
Special Senses: oculogyric crises, diplopia, blurred vision, dilated pupils. 
  
Urogenital: dark urine, priapism, urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, 
urinary tract infection. 
 
Laboratory Tests: abnormalities in alkaline phosphatase, SGOT (AST), SGPT (ALT), lactic 
dehydrogenase, bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), Coombs test; elevated serum glucose; 
decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit; decreased white blood cell count and serum potassi-
um; increased serum creatinine and uric acid; white blood cells, bacteria and blood in the 
urine; protein and glucose in the urine. 
 
Miscellaneous: bizarre breathing patterns, faintness, hoarseness, hot flashes, malaise, 
neuroleptic malignant syndrome, sense of stimulation. 
 
OVERDOSAGE 
 
No reports of overdose with LODOSYN have been received. Management of overdosage with 
carbidopa is the same as that with levodopa or carbidopa-levodopa preparations.


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In the event of overdosage, general supportive measures should be employed, along with im-
mediate gastric lavage. Intravenous fluids should be administered judiciously, and an ade-
quate airway maintained. Electrocardiographic monitoring should be instituted and the pa-
tient carefully observed for the development of arrhythmias; if required, appropriate anti-
arrhythmic therapy should be given. The possibility that the patient may have taken other 
drugs as well as LODOSYN should be taken into consideration. To date, no experience has 
been reported with dialysis; hence, its value in overdosage is not known. Pyridoxine is not ef-
fective in reversing the actions of LODOSYN. 
 
Based on studies in which high doses of levodopa and/or carbidopa were administered, a 
significant proportion of rats and mice given single oral doses of levodopa of approximately 
1500-2000 mg/kg are expected to die. A significant proportion of infant rats of both sexes are 
expected to die at a dose of 800 mg/kg. A significant proportion of rats are expected to die 
after treatment with similar doses of carbidopa. The addition of carbidopa in a 1:10 ratio with 
levodopa increases the dose at which a significant proportion of mice are expected to die to 
3360 mg/kg. 
  
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION 
 
Whether given with carbidopa-levodopa or with levodopa, the optimal daily dose of 
LODOSYN must be determined by careful titration.  Most patients respond to a 1:10 propor-
tion of carbidopa and levodopa, provided the daily dosage of carbidopa is 70 mg or more a 
day. The maximum daily dosage of carbidopa should not exceed 200 mg, since clinical expe-
rience with larger dosages is limited. If the patient is taking carbidopa-levodopa, the amount 
of carbidopa in carbidopa-levodopa should be considered when calculating the total amount 
of LODOSYN to be administered each day. 
 
Patients Receiving Carbidopa-Levodopa Who  
Require Additional Carbidopa  
 
Some patients taking carbidopa-levodopa may not have adequate reduction in nausea and vom-
iting when the dosage of carbidopa is less than 70 mg a day, and the dosage of levodopa is 
less than 700 mg a day. When these patients are taking carbidopa-levodopa, 25 mg of 
LODOSYN may be given with the first dose of carbidopa-levodopa each day. Additional 
doses of 12.5 mg or 25 mg may be given during the day with each dose of carbidopa- levo-
dopa. LODOSYN may be given with any dose carbidopa-levodopa as required for optimum 
therapeutic response. The maximum daily dosage of carbidopa, given as LODOSYN and as 
carbidopa- levodopa), should not exceed 200 mg. 
 
Patients Requiring Individual Titration of Carbidopa and


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Levodopa Dosage 
 
Although carbidopa-levodopa is the most frequently used of carbidopa and levodopa admin-
istration, there may be an occasional patient who requires individually titrated doses of these 
two drugs. In these patients, LODOSYN (carbidopa) should be initiated at a dosage of 25 
mg three or four times a day. The two drugs should be given at the same time, starting 
with no more than one-fifth (20%) to one-fourth (25%) of the previous or recommended 
daily dosage of levodopa when given without LODOSYN (Carbidopa). In patients already 
receiving levodopa therapy, at least twelve hours should elapse between the last dose of 
levodopa and initiation of therapy with LODOSYN (Carbidopa) and levodopa. A con-
venient way to initiate therapy in these patients is in the morning following a night 
when the patient has not taken levodopa for at least twelve hours. Health care providers 
who prescribe separate doses of LODOSYN and levodopa should be thoroughly familiar with 
the directions for use of each drug. 
 
Dosage Adjustment 
 
Dosage of LODOSYN may be adjusted by adding or omitting one-half or one tablet a day. 
Because both therapeutic and adverse responses occur more rapidly with combined therapy 
than when only levodopa is given, patients should be monitored closely during the dose ad-
justment period. Specifically, involuntary movements will occur more rapidly when 
LODOSYN and levodopa are given concomitantly than when levodopa is given without 
LODOSYN.  The occurrence of involuntary movements may require dosage reduction. Ble-
pharospasm may be a useful early sign of excess dosage in some patients. 
 
Current evidence indicates other standard antiparkinsonian drugs may be continued while 
carbidopa and  levodopa  are being administered. However, the dosage of such other 
standard antiparkinsonian drugs may require adjustment. 
 
Interruption of Therapy 
 
Sporadic cases of hyperpyrexia and confusion have been associated with dose reductions and 
withdrawal of carbidopa-Levodopa) or carbidopa-levodopa Extended Release. Patients should 
be observed carefully if abrupt reduction or discontinuation of carbidopa-levodopa or car-
bidopa-levodopa Extended-Release is required, especially if the patient is receiving neurolep-
tics. (See WARNINGS.) 
 
If general anesthesia is required, therapy may be continued as long as the patient is


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permitted to take fluids and medication by mouth.  When therapy is interrupted tem-
porarily, the patient should be observed for symptoms resembling NMS, and the 
usual daily dosage may be resumed as soon as the patient is able to take medica-
tion orally. 
 
HOW SUPPLIED 
 
Tablets LODOSYN, 25 mg, are orange, round, compressed tablets that are scored and 
coded 
711 on one side and LODOSYN on the other. 
  
They are supplied as follows: 
 
NDC 0056-0511-68 bottles of 100. 
Storage 
 
Store at 25°C (77°F), excursions permitted to 15–30°C (59–86°F). 
  
Manufactured in Canada by: 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. 
Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z7 
 
Manufactured for: 
Valeant Pharmaceuticals North America LLC 
Bridgewater, NJ 
08807 USA Rev. 
2/2014 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX C 
UK Parkinson’s Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX D 
Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Parts 2 and 3 


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APPENDIX E 
Hoehn and Yahr Staging 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX F: 
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) 
Versions 7.1 (Original), 7.2 (Alternate), and 7.3 (Alternate) 
Samples provided in this appendix are for reference only. 
 


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APPENDIX G 
GDS-15 symptoms score 
 


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APPENDIX H 
FrSBe Scale 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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FrSBe Scale (cont.) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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APPENDIX I 
Brand Names of Allowed and Disallowed Concomitant Medications 
 
 
Allowed Concomitant Medications 
The following are examples of medications that may be used during droxidopa 
administration. This is not an exhaustive list. 
 
Drug Type/Generic Name  
 
Opiate analgesics 
–codeine 
–fentanyl  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–hydrocodone 
 
 
 
 
–hydromorphone 
 
 
–morphine 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–oxycodone 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brand Name Examples 
 
 
 
Abstral® 
Actiq® 
Duragesic® 
Fentora® 
Lazanda® 
Onsolis® 
Sublimaze® 
 
Anexsia® 
Lortab® 
Vicodin® 
Zydone® 
 
Dilaudid® 
Exalgo® 
 
Astramorph/PF™ 
Avinza® 
DepoDur® 
Duramorph 
Kadian® 
MS Contin® 
 
Oxecta® 
OxyContin® 
Percocet® 
Percodan® 
Roxicet® 
Roxicodone® 
Tylox


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Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs 
–aspirin 
–ibuprofen  
 
–naproxen  
 
 
–acetaminophen  
 
 
Advil® 
Nuprin® 
Aleve® 
Anaprox® 
Naproxyn® 
Tylenol®
Antibiotics 
Quinolone antibiotics 
–gatifloxacin  
 
–levofloxacin 
–moxifloxacin 
 
–ciprofloxacin 
 
Macrolide antibiotics 
–azithromycin 
 
–clarithromycin  
–telithromycin 
Zymar® 
Zymaxid® 
Levaquin® 
Avelox® 
Vigamox® 
Cipro® 
 
 
Zithromax® 
Zmax® 
Biaxin® 
Ketek® 
 
 
 
Dopaminergic medications 
-ropinirole 
-pramipexole 
-rotigotine 
-levodopa 
 
 
 
-entacapone 
-amantadine 
 
 
Requip® 
Mirapex® 
Neupro® 
Sinemet® 
Rytary® 
Parcopa® 
Duopa® 
Comtan® 
 
 
Cough/cold/allergy products containing only the following as active ingredients 
 
Antihistamine 
–azelastine  
 
–cetirizine, levocetirizine  
 


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–chlorpheniramine  
–fexofenadine  
–ketotifen  
–levocabastine  
–loratadine, desloratadine  
 
Mast-cell stabilizer 
–cromolyn  
 
 
Corticosteroid nasal spray 
–beclomethasone  
–budesonide 
–flunisolide 
–fluticasone 
  
–mometasone  
–triamcinolone  
 
Antitussive 
–benzonatate  
 
Expectorant 
–guaifenesin  
 
 
Astelin® 
Astepro® 
Zyrtec® 
Xyzal® 
Chlor-Trimeton® 
Allegra® 
Zaditor® 
Livostin® 
Claritin® 
Clarinex® 
 
Intal® 
Gastrocrom® 
Opticrom® 
 
Beconase® 
Rhinocort® 
Nasarel® 
Flonase® 
VersaMist® 
Nasonex® 
Nasacort® 
 
 
Tessalon® 
 
 
Mucinex® 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Disallowed Concomitant Medications 
The following are examples of medications that may NOT be used during droxidopa 
administration. This is not an exhaustive list. 
 
Drug Type/Generic Name  
–cocaine 
–investigational drugs 
 
Medications which increase blood 
pressure 
-norepinephrine 
-ephedrine 
-dextroamphetamine/amphetamine 
-methylphenidate 
 
-midodrine 
 
-fludrocortisone 
-triptans 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors 
-venlafaxine 
-desvenlafaxine 
-duloxetine 
-milnacipran 
-atomoxetine 
 
 
 
 
 
Cough medications containing dex-
tromethorphan 
 
 
 
Brand Name Examples 
 
 
 
 
 
Levophed® 
 
Adderall® 
Ritalin® 
Concerta® 
Amatine® 
Apo-Midodrine® 
Florinef® 
Imitrex® 
Zomig® 
Amerge® 
Maxalt® 
Axert® 
Relpax® 
Frova® 
 
 
 
Effexor® 
Pristq® 
Cymbalta® 
Savella® 
Strattera® 
 
 
 
Promethazine DM® 
Robitussin® Peak Cold DM 
Triaminic® 
Vicks Formula


 
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Short Study Title 
 
 
Version 1 
 
 
MM/DD/YY