Amantadine infusion in treatment of motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in Parkinson's disease

Efficiency and safety of amantadine sulfate (AMS) infusions were investigat ed in late stage complications of Parkinson's disease (PD). In an open-labe l study, 21 PD patients suffering from motor fluctuations and/or dyskinesia s were administered AMS infusions (PK-Merz(R), 400 mg per day) during seven days. Oral AMS treatment followed. Significant improvement of UPDRS motor scores was observed between day 0 and day 7, remaining improved until day 2 1. Based on patients' diary notes, both severity and occurrence of hypokine tic "off" state significantly decreased (from 6.6 to 3.1 hours, p < 0.001, average "off" time per day) as well as dopaminergic-induced dyskinesias (fr om 2.5 to 1.3 hours, p < 0.05, average duration of dyskinesias per day). AM S infusions followed by oral administration appeared as a safe method for i mprovement of both motor fluctuations and dyskinesias in advanced PD. In ad vantage to simple oral therapy, AMS infusions allowed fast introduction of a profound and durable treatment effect.