Lundbeck, a global pharmaceutical company specialized in brain diseases, announced that Northera (droxidopa) capsules for oral use are now available through its US subsidiary Lundbeck LLC for healthcare providers to prescribe in the United States.
Northera, a norepinephrine prodrug, was recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and is now available across the United States through a specialty pharmacy. Northera is only approved for the US.
Northera is approved for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness or the "feeling that you are about to black out" in adult patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (NOH) caused by primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy.
Symptomatic NOH is a rare autonomic nervous system disorder associated with failure to release adequate amounts of norepinephrine upon standing. NOH is caused by an underlying autonomic neurologic disorder, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, or pure autonomic failure. Norepinephrine deficiency may result in an inability for a person to maintain adequate blood pressure and blood flow to the brain upon standing, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, and the "feeling that you are about to black out."