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Parkinson’s drug linked to increased risk for CV events
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Patients taking combination carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone may be at an increased risk for CV events — including MI, stroke and CV death — compared with patients taking carbidopa/levodopa alone, according to the FDA.
Findings from the Stalevo Reduction in Dyskinesia Evaluation — Parkinson’s Disease (STRIDE-PD) trial have prompted the FDA to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the potential CV risks associated with combination carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone (Stalevo; Orion, Novartis). Levodopa has been associated with MI, cardiac irregularities, hypertension and palpitations, but in previous clinical trials, the combination of carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone was not associated with a difference in MI, stroke or CV death.
Both combination carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone and carbidopa/levodopa alone (Sinemet; Orion, Novartis) have been shown effective for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease symptoms. Adding entacapone to carbidopa/levodopa has demonstrated a greater degree of improvement in some symptoms compared with treatment with carbidopa/levodopa alone, according to an FDA press release.
Patients taking combination carbidopa/levodopa and entacapone, especially those with a history of CVD, should be evaluated regularly and should not stop taking the combination unless instructed to do so by their physician. The FDA is currently investigating ways to assess whether the combination increases the risk for CV events; an update will be available when the review is complete. – by Stacey L. Fisher
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