Newly Published Retrospective Analysis Showed Lower All-Cause Mortality Risk Among Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis Patients Treated with NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin) Compared to Those Treated with Other Atypical Antipsychotics
Acadia Pharmaceuticals announced positive findings from a retrospective analysis published in Drug Safety, indicating a lower mortality risk in Parkinson's disease psychosis (PDP) patients treated with NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin) compared to other atypical antipsychotics. The study, based on Medicare claims data, showed a hazard ratio for all-cause mortality of 0.78 for NUPLAZID. Results were consistent across various patient subgroups, including those in long-term care facilities. NUPLAZID remains the only FDA-approved treatment for PDP, highlighting its significance in managing this challenging condition.
- Lower mortality risk (HR 0.78) for PDP patients using NUPLAZID compared to other atypical antipsychotics.
- Study results consistent across different patient groups, including long-term care facilities.
- NUPLAZID is the only FDA-approved medication for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson's disease psychosis.
- Potential for residual confounding despite propensity score matching.
- Study results consistent across different patient groups, including those in long-term care facilities
“We were encouraged by this large, real-world study showing a lower mortality risk in patients with PDP after initiation of NUPLAZID, compared to other atypical antipsychotics. The robust results were achieved across sub-groups and sensitivity analysis using a variety of approaches,” said
The retrospective, real-world, observational study evaluated a cohort of patients identified using 2016-2019 Medicare claims data who were 65 years of age and older in
Non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, including hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis, can be more troublesome than motor symptoms.3 These symptoms can also worsen over time, making it difficult for patients to know whether or not what they are experiencing is real.4,5 Psychosis is an important risk factor for mortality in Parkinson’s disease. In a retrospective study evaluating the association of death in patients with Parkinson’s disease compared to PDP using Medicare data (2007-2015), mortality risk was
This analysis observed real-world use of NUPLAZID approximately 3.5 years after its FDA approval and subsequent availability in
About Parkinson’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease Psychosis
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects about one million people in
About NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin)
Pimavanserin is a selective serotonin inverse agonist and antagonist preferentially targeting 5-HT2A receptors. These receptors are thought to play an important role in neuropsychiatric disorders. In vitro, pimavanserin demonstrated no appreciable binding affinity for dopamine (including D2), histamine, muscarinic, or adrenergic receptors. Pimavanserin was approved for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis by the
About
Acadia is advancing breakthroughs in neuroscience to elevate life. For more than 25 years we have been working at the forefront of healthcare to bring vital solutions to people who need them most. We developed and commercialized the first and only approved therapy for hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. Our clinical-stage development efforts are focused on treating the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, Rett syndrome and neuropsychiatric symptoms in central nervous system disorders. For more information, visit us at www.acadia.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Important Safety Information and Indication for NUPLAZID® (pimavanserin)
Indication
NUPLAZID is indicated for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.
Important Safety Information
WARNING: INCREASED MORTALITY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS
- Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.
- NUPLAZID is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis unrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.
Contraindication: NUPLAZID is contraindicated in patients with a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to pimavanserin or any of its components. Rash, urticaria, and reactions consistent with angioedema (e.g., tongue swelling, circumoral edema, throat tightness, and dyspnea) have been reported.
Warnings and Precautions: QT Interval Prolongation
- NUPLAZID prolongs the QT interval. The use of NUPLAZID should be avoided in patients with known QT prolongation or in combination with other drugs known to prolong QT interval including Class 1A antiarrhythmics or Class 3 antiarrhythmics, certain antipsychotic medications, and certain antibiotics.
- NUPLAZID should also be avoided in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, as well as other circumstances that may increase the risk of the occurrence of torsade de pointes and/or sudden death, including symptomatic bradycardia, hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia, and presence of congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
Adverse Reactions: The common adverse reactions (≥
Drug Interactions:
- Coadministration with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., ketoconazole) increases NUPLAZID exposure. Reduce NUPLAZID dose to 10 mg taken orally as one tablet once daily.
- Coadministration with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers reduces NUPLAZID exposure. Avoid concomitant use of strong or moderate CYP3A4 inducers with NUPLAZID.
Dosage and Administration
Recommended dose: 34 mg capsule taken orally once daily, without titration.
NUPLAZID is available as 34 mg capsules and 10 mg tablets.
Please read the full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not strictly historical in nature are forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the potential opportunity for future growth in sales of NUPLAZID; the timing of ongoing and future clinical studies for pimavanserin; the development and commercialization of trofinetide; and guidance for full-year 2022 NUPLAZID net sales for Parkinson’s disease psychosis only and certain expense line items. These statements are only predictions based on current information and expectations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in any of such statements due to various factors, including the uncertainty of future commercial sales and related items that would impact net sales during 2022, the risks and uncertainties inherent in drug development, approval and commercialization, and the fact that past results of clinical trials may not be indicative of future trial results. For a discussion of these and other factors, please refer to Acadia’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
References
1 Mosholder AD, Ma Y, Akhtar S, Podskalny GD, Feng Y, Lyu H, Liao J, Wei Y, Wernecke M, Leishear K, Nelson LM, MaCurdy TE, Kelman JA, Graham DJ. Mortality Among Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated With Pimavanserin or Atypical Antipsychotics: An Observational Study in Medicare Beneficiaries. Am J Psychiatry. 2022 Aug;179(8):553-561.
2 Pham Nguyen TP, Thibault D,
3
4 Goetz, CG, Fan, W, Leurgans, S, et al. The malignant course of “benign hallucinations” in Parkinson disease. Archives of Neurology. 2006;63(5), 713–716.
5 Ravina B, Marder K, Fernandez HH, et al. Diagnostic criteria for psychosis in Parkinson’s disease: report of an NINDS, NIMH work group. Mov Disord. 2007 Jun 15;22(8):1061-8.
6 Wetmore JB, Li S, Yan H, et al. Increases in institutionalization, healthcare resource utilization, and mortality risk associated with Parkinson disease psychosis: retrospective cohort study. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2019;68:95-101.
7 Parkinson’s
8 Postuma RB, Berg D, Stern M, et al. MDS clinical diagnostic criteria for Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. 2015;30(12):1591-1601.
9 Forsaa EB, Larsen JP,
10 Schrag A, Hovris A, et al. Caregiver-burden in parkinson’s disease is closely associated with psychiatric symptoms, falls, and disability. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders. 2006;12:35-41.
11 Aarsland D, Bronnick K, Ehrt U. et al. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Parkinson’s disease and dementia: frequency, profile and associated care giver stress. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2007;78:36-42.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230103005162/en/
Media Contact:
Deb Kazenelson
(818) 395-3043
media@acadia-pharm.com
Investor Contact:
(858) 261-2771
ir@acadia-pharm.com
Source:
FAQ
What did the recent Acadia Pharmaceuticals study reveal about NUPLAZID?
How many patients were involved in the NUPLAZID study?
What is the significance of the finding for patients in long-term care facilities?