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What is the difference between Osmolex ER and Gocovri?

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Oct 23, 2024.

Official Answer by Drugs.com

The main differences between Gocovri capsules and Osmolex ER tablets center around their approved uses, dosage forms and strengths, and studies submitted for FDA approval.

Approval of Gocovri was based on placebo-controlled clinical studies in patients with Parkinson's disease with levodopa-induced dyskinesias, while the effectiveness of Osmolex ER was based upon bioavailability studies that compared Osmolex ER to immediate-release amantadine. Gocovri and Osmolex ER are not interchangeable with other amantadine immediate- or extended-release products.

What are Gocovri (amantadine extended-release) capsules?

What are Osmolex ER (amantadine extended-release) tablets?

What is dyskinesia and "off-time"?

In Parkinson's disease, dyskinesias lead to involuntary movements during waking hours which can impact your normal, daily activities and impact your lifestyle. Dyskinesias are due to prolonged levodopa treatment. Dyskinesia may appear as fidgeting, writhing, wriggling, head bobbing or body swaying in people with PD.

"Off-time" is when Parkinson's symptoms return between medication doses. Off-time may start after longer periods of taking levodopa, but it does not happen in all patients. Off-time might involve painful muscle cramps, increasing tremors, and other common symptoms like slowness, stiffness, and trouble walking (freezing, shuffling).

Related questions

How do the studies compare with Osmolex ER and Gocovri?

At this time, there are no studies directly comparing Gocovri and Osmolex ER in patients with Parkinson's disease and drug-induced dyskinesias.

Gocovri was the first Parkinson's disease medicine demonstrated in controlled clinical trials to reduce both dyskinesia and “off-time” in patients receiving levodopa.

In two studies, a statistically significant reduction in the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale was seen in patients compared to placebo: 37% vs. 12%, respectively, in study 1, and 46% vs. 16% in study 2, both at 12 weeks.

The effectiveness of Osmolex ER is based upon bioavailability studies that compared Osmolex ER to immediate-release amantadine, not in controlled clinical studies in Parkinson's disease patients.

This is not all the information you need to know about Osmolex ER and Gocovri for safe and effective use. Review the full product handouts, and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.

References

Read next

Does Nuplazid treat Parkinson's disease?

Nuplazid was approved by the FDA for the treatment of psychosis (hallucinations and delusions) associated with Parkinson’s disease, which can occur in up to half of patients. Nuplazid does not treat the typical motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as tremors or shuffling gait. Continue reading

How does levodopa help Parkinson's disease?

Levodopa is a central nervous system agent that helps people with Parkinson’s because it is converted into dopamine in the brain. It helps to alleviate the symptoms of the disease by providing a supply of dopamine, which is lacking in people with Parkinson's.

Levodopa works best to help treat the slowness and stiffness or rigidity associated with Parkinson’s disease, and in some cases may treat the tremor as well. It does not slow or reduce the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Continue reading

How much does Inbrija cost?

The out-of-pocket cash price for Inbrija (levodopa inhalation) 42 mg inhalation capsules is about $1,295 for a supply of 60 capsules, but most people do not pay this price. If you have commercial insurance and Inbrija is covered on your plan, you may be eligible to receive it for as little as $30 per month. Continue reading

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