Study To Assess The Clinical Benefit Of Droxidopa And Droxidopa/Carbidopa In Subjects With Fibromyalgia
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2011-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A correlation between increased norepinephrine concentration in the central nervous system
(CNS) and a decrease in fibromyalgia pain has been suggested in clinical studies. Therefore,
as a pro-drug of norepinephrine, droxidopa could potentially benefit fibromyalgia patients by
reducing pain as a result of increasing CNS levels of norepinephrine.
As this benefit is presumed to be a central effect, the addition of carbidopa, a peripheral
DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) inhibitor, may favorably impact the drug's treatment profile.
Carbidopa is utilized as a blocker of peripheral DDC, an enzyme required for the conversion
of droxidopa into norepinephrine. Therefore, inhibition of peripheral DDC should result in a
reduction of any side effects resulting from the peripheral production of norepinephrine,
whilst allowing for increased central levels, and hence, increased centrally mediated
benefits.
The purpose of the study is the obtain information regarding the proper dosing, effectiveness
and safety of droxidopa and combination droxidopa/carbidopa treatments in patients with
fibromyalgia.