FDA approves Parkinson's disease treatment

RIDGEFIELD, Conn. The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new treatment for Parkinson’s disease made by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, the drug maker announced Monday.

The FDA approved BI’s Mirapex ER (pramipexole dihydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a treatment for early idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, but not advanced forms of the disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and potentially debilitating neurological condition that affects nearly 1 million Americans, causing such symptoms as tremor, muscle rigidity, shuffling gait and loss of facial expression.

“We are committed to providing effective treatment options that may help ease the burden of Parkinson’s disease, and the Mirapex ER approval is very exciting,  Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals EVP Albert Ros stated. “The Parkinson’s community now has an important new treatment option with benefits similar to the currently available immediate-release formulation.”