L-dihydroxyphenylserine (Droxidopa): a new therapy for neurogenic orthostatic hypotension: the US experience.

Abstract

Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension results from failure to release norepinephrine, the neurotransmitter of sympathetic postganglionic neurons, appropriately upon standing. In double blind, cross over, placebo controlled trials, administration of droxidopa, a synthetic amino acid that is decarboxylated to norepinephrine by the enzyme L: -aromatic amino acid decarboxylase increases standing blood pressure, ameliorates symptoms of orthostatic hypotension and improves standing ability in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension due to degenerative autonomic disorders. The pressor effect results from conversion of droxidopa to norepinephrine outside the central nervous system both in neural and non-neural tissue. This mechanism of action makes droxidopa effective in patients with central and peripheral autonomic disorders.

• Authors: Horacio Kaufmann
• Journal: Clinical autonomic research : official journal of the Clinical Autonomic Research Society (Clin Auton Res) Vol. 18 Suppl 1 Pg. 19-24 (Mar 2008) ISSN: 0959-9851 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 18368303 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Levodopa
• Droxidopa
• Carbidopa
• Norepinephrine

Topics

• Autonomic Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Carbidopa (therapeutic use)
• Central Nervous System Diseases (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic
• Droxidopa (administration & dosage, adverse effects, metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypotension, Orthostatic (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Levodopa (therapeutic use)
• Multiple System Atrophy (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Norepinephrine (blood, chemistry, metabolism, therapeutic use)
• United States