Outcomes From Switching From Rotigotine Patch to Alternate Therapies in Parkinson's Disease

ABSTRACTBackground: When rotigotine patch was withdrawn from the US market, we prospectively gathered data on efficacy, side effects, and daytime sedation on patients while taking rotigotine and following the switch to alternate therapies. Methods: Patients rated the efficacy of rotigotine on a scale of 0–5 (ineffective to extremely effective) and completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. At a follow-up visit a mean of 3 months later, patients rated their change in efficacy and side effects on a scale of −3 to +3 (much worse to much better) and again completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: Thirty-three patients were switched to a single alternate treatment. On rotigotine, the average efficacy score was 3.5, and after switching, the average change in efficacy was −0.67 (worsening). Average change scores for efficacy and adverse effects were 0.25 and 0.38 for levodopa, −0.88 and −0.25 for ropinirole IR, −1.2 and −0.83 for ropinirole XL, −0.80 and 1.0 for pramipexole, and −1.0 and 0.50 for rasagiline,...