A Guide To Using Nuedexta To Treat PBA

PBA treatment NuedextaPseudoBulbar, more commonly referred to as PBA, can cause untold heartache, embarrassment, and frustration for people who suffer from the condition. That is why finding a treatment that works is certainly a worthwhile pursuit. If y
ou, or someone you know, suffers from PBA, you may have heard that Neudexta can be used to treat the condition. Is this a viable option? Let’s take a look at a few of the details involved.

What Is PBA?

To understand whether a particular treatment has the potential to make a difference in the life of the patient; it is important to understand the nature of the condition.

PBA is seen in people with certain neurological conditions or brain injuries. The condition or injury causes damage to the brain area responsible for controlling how emotions are expressed. In effect, the brain signals can become disrupted; this disruption shows itself in the form of episodes of laughing or crying. These episodes are involuntary and spontaneous.

In general, the outburst of emotion can be described in one of the following main ways:

– Inappropriate
– Exaggerated

In the case of inappropriate outbursts, the person may suddenly begin to cry or laugh, even though the way they feel does not match their outward outburst.

Exaggerated outbursts may have an emotion that matches the situation. However, the sentiment is expressed much more intensely or for a longer period than would be viewed as normal.




Interestingly, the name of this condition very well describes the effect it has on a person’s life. ‘Pseudo’ means false and ‘bulbar’ means brainstem, indeed an appropriate term to describe such involuntary outbursts which do not reflect how the person actually feels.symptoms of PBA

What Are The Main Symptoms Of PBA?

The typical symptoms that a person suffering from PBA will display are outlined below:

– A neurological disease or brain injury

– Outbursts of crying or laughing

– Outbursts which are uncontrollable

– Outbursts which are brief

– Outbursts which are exaggerated

– A lack of connection between outbursts and underlying feeling.

A Look At How Nuedexta Can Treat PBA

Now that we have a clear understanding of PBA, including the typical symptoms and why the condition exists, it will be easier for us to understand how a particular treatment can make a difference. Indeed it is already clear that PBA is a condition which can cause considerable upset and embarrassment, hence finding an appropriate treatment could make a significant difference for good.




Neudexta has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of PBA. A study known as the PRISM II Study showed considerable improvement of PBA in patients who have Alzheimer’s, traumatic brain injury, stroke, as well as other forms of dementia. The study saw a noted improvement in the number of uncontrollable episodes from which each patient suffered. In fact, the baseline was around 12 outbursts per week, however after 90 days using this treatment they had decreased to an average of two per week, a very noteworthy finding.

A closer look at a few more details of the study gives further evidence as to how effective Neudexta can be in easing the embarrassment and frustration experienced by people who suffer from PBA. The study included 367 participants over the course of 90 days. At the end of the study clinicians said that in 77% of the participants the PBA symptoms were either ‘much improved’ or ‘very much improved.’

So What Is Nuedexta?

Since it seems clear from the PRISM II study that a significant body of evidence exists in support of the use of Nuedexta to treat PBA, it would be interesting to understand what makes up the drug. Details of the two principal components are outlined below:

Dextromethorphan Hydrobromide

This element is active in the central nervous system.

Quinidine Sulfate

This component combines well with the dextromethorphan as mentioned above. Being a metabolic inhibitor, it allows for appropriate concentrations of dextromethorphan


It is also vital to understand that Nuedexta can interact with other medications which are currently being taken by the patient. The doctor will either make an adjustment to the dose of the current medication or use a different treatment if this seems to be the best option.

How Is Nuedexa Administered To Treat PBA?

Nuedexta is an oral drug and is administered in capsule form. A patient will start by taking one capsule each day for a full week. At the commencement of the second week, the dosage will increase to two capsules daily. The pills are given separately, with one being given every 12 hours. Two capsules are the maximum dose, and patients should never take more than this within a 24 hour period. If a patient misses a dose, they should simply skip it and wait until the next scheduled dose.

Do Any Self Assessment Tools Exist For People Who Think They May Be Suffering From PBA?

There are five key elements that people can think about when considering whether PBA may be a problem for them or for someone they know. These five elements are outlined below:

– Does the person have a neurological condition? (This may be multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury and such like)

– Does the person have involuntary outbursts of laughter or crying?

– Does the person burst out laughing or crying in situations which are not appropriate?

– Does the person have emotional outbursts which seem exaggerated concerning the situation?

– Does the person find it impossible to control their outbursts, even when they try to?

Analyzing the answers to the above five questions should put you in a good position to decide whether you or someone you know, may potentially be suffering from PBA. In fact, even if you do not answer yes to all of the above questions, PBA may still be an issue. In general, if your reply to the first question, as well as at least one of the other problems, is yes, you should raise PBA as a potential problem.

Family members, as well as friends, of a person suffering from PBA, will likely recognize that such outbursts are not usual, with the matter becoming a cause for concern. It is important to remember that a person who is suffering from PBA is undergoing a stressful condition. The outbursts can cause embarrassment and frustration for the sufferer, even having a significant impact on their relationships and their desire to engage in social activities. It stands to reason that finding a treatment which can reduce both the frequency and the severity of such outbursts could certainly contribute to an improved outlook and enhanced social opportunities for the person with PBA.

How Quickly Can Nuedexta Make A Positive Impact On Someone who Is Suffering From PBA?

The positive response to Nuedexta can be seen within a short period, in fact in as little as one week, symptoms of PBA can be significantly reduced.



In Conclusion

Indeed the road to having Nuedexta approved and its start to make a positive impact on the lives of people suffering from PBA has been a long one. It has taken ten years of research and development for Neudexta to be approved. For patients who respond to Neudexta, the change to their quality of life can be very significant. The treatment can give people the opportunity to get more enjoyment from life, something which PBA can certainly hinder.

What are the Side Effects of Nuedexta

Nuedexta Side Effects


Nuedexta is an FDA-approved medication for treating PseudoBulbar Affect. It is a medical condition that leads to frequent, sudden and involuntary episodes of laughing and crying in people with brain injury or certain neurologic conditions. These episodes usually don’t match the feelings of a person.

While this medicine has been found to be effective for treatment of this condition, it also has certain side effects. Also, this medication is available only via a prescription. Here is a list of some of the common after additional effects of this medicine.

Other Effects of the  Drug Nuedexta

Nuedexta side effects

First and foremost, it is important for you to know that this medication can interact with other medications and supplements, and interaction with other drugs or supplements can lead to some serious concerns. Therefore, it is important for you to tell your doctor about all the other supplements and medications you are currently taking before you start taking this particular drug. You shouldn’t start taking other medications when you are taking Nuedexta without first talking to your doctor as it may lead to serious issues.



Some of the less common impacts include joint pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, blood in urine, vomiting,  and loss of appetite.  Additional after affects include a runny nose, unusual weight gain or loss, trouble sleeping, sore throat, rapid weight gain, muscle pain, lower back or side pain, general feeling of illness, bloating or swelling of feet, lower legs, hands or arms among other things.

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If you experience excessive sweating, confusion, blurred vision, hallucinations, hearing loss, loss of consciousness, restlessness, seizures, uncontrolled eye movements, twitching, shaking, or shortness of breath, it may be a symptom of overdose.  Severe sleepiness, a sensation of spinning, excitement, double vision, depression, dizziness, decreased responsiveness or aggressive behavior, may also be overdose symptoms. In such a situation, it is important for you to give a call to your doctor immediately.

In most cases, these things go away after some time as the body gets used to the new medication. However, you should get in touch with your doctor if these things continue after the first few days.

Nuedexta drug side effects – what to do

You should give a call to your doctor right away in case you experience fever, lightheadedness or vomiting as these may be due to an allergic reaction to this medication. If there is unexplained bruising or bleeding after taking this medicine, you should immediately get in touch with your doctor as one of the ingredients in this medication may lead to the reduction in the number of platelets in the blood. It is important to get it checked as quickly as possible as it can be fatal if left untreated.

As far as the recommended dose of this medication is concerned, doctors usually recommend one capsule a day for the first seven days, and two capsules a day after the first week. Also, this medication may interact with grapefruit juice and grapefruit as well as allergy medications, ADHD medications, antifungals, antibiotics, blood pressure medications and antidepressants.

In rare cases, this drug may also lead to increase in serotonin in your body. The risk of an increase in serotonin goes up if you are also taking other drugs containing serotonin enhancing agents. Therefore, it is important for you to tell your doctor about all the products you are currently taking.



Keep in mind that this drug may cause some serious problems if you have a family history of heart rhythm problems or you have had heart disease. This medication may lead to changes in the heart rhythm, and it may not be the right drug for you in case you have some heart problems. Another important thing you need to keep in mind is that you cannot take more know mono-amine oxidase inhibitors 14 days before or after taking this medication as it can lead to some significant issues of concern.

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Overall, the most common issues of this drug include weakness, vomiting, cough, dizziness, swelling of feet and ankles, and diarrhea. These issues usually go away after some days, but you should immediately give a call to your doctor in case any these effects do not go away after a few days. Also, you should immediately call your doctor if you experience restlessness, shivering, high blood pressure, confusion or twitching after taking this medication.

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What is the Drug Nuedexta Classification

The Class of the Drug Nuedexta

Using Nuedexta to treat PseudoBulbar Affect, also known as PBA, but what Is PBA?

Nuedexta drug classification dextomethorphan and quinidine sulfatePBA is the acronym used for PseudoBulbar Affect. It’s a neurological condition causing sudden, frequent episodes of uncontrollable laughing and crying. It can be caused by a stroke, Alzheimer’s, dementia, TBI or traumatic brain injury, Multiple Sclerosis or MS, Parkinson’s Disease, Other neurological conditions and even unknown causes.

During an episode, the patient may suddenly, without warning, begin to laugh or cry without reason. It doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the current situation at hand and will seem out of character for the person or the situation. It is distinct from other emotional disturbances in that it happens very suddenly without rhyme nor reason.

It’s often very unsettling to the patients as well as to those around them. It may be confusing to try and understand why they have the episode and they may be even more upset about the event as it won’t even begin to match the situation at hand.

What Can Be Done To Treat PBA?

Doctors today can prescribe a medication for PBA called nuedexta®. It’s not completely understood how the drug works although doctors do know that it acts on the brain to change the chemistry to alter the emotions. It’s been approved by the FDA to treat PBA.




Other things that doctors work with the patient on is helping them to understand the condition and helping those around them to understand it. By contributing to the education of the patient and those around them it’s hoped that they will have more options and treatments available in the future.

How is Nuedexta Classified?

The medication Neudexta classification belongs to a category that works on the central nervous system. It is made up of dextromethorphan (20 mg) and of quinidine (10 mg) AKS dextromethorphan hydrobromide USP and quinidine sulfate USP. It is not a controlled substance per the Controlled Substance Act or CSA.

Based on the class of Nuedexta, though it’s not considered a controlled substance, it’s one of the drugs still only available as a prescription. The FDA approved the drug for effects of PBA. It helps to alleviate the uncontrolled outbursts of crying and laughing. Doctors may also prescribe the drug other reasons that aren’t typically listed for the medication.  It is considered a Class I Antiarrhythmic agent quinidine.

Is Nuedexta An Anti-Depressant?

The class of the drug Nuedexta can allow for it to be used to treat an emotional condition, it’s not considered an anti-depressant nor is it used to treat depression. It doesn’t work on other emotional conditions only on PBA per studies that have been conducted for the last several years.

Are There Any Serious Side Effects To Nuedexta?

Nuedexta drug classification dextomethorphan and quinidine sulfate
The most common side effects with Neudexta include stomach pain, diarrhea, excessive gas, dizziness, cough, swelling of hands and ankles or feet, vomiting and urinary tract infections.

Many patients state that it feels as if they have the flu. Liver tests may also have abnormal results. If the side effects are severe, it’s important to contact your doctor right away and follow their guidelines.

Some patients have been found to be allergic to some of the components in the product. Any side effects that aren’t on the list of effects should be reported to your doctor and the pharmacist immediately. Known interactions occur between oral Nuedexta and certain antiarrhythmics.




Typical dosing treatment protocols involve an oral taking of one capsule daily. After one week a patient’s dosage may increase up to two capsules daily taking one capsule every 12 hours.

While Nuedexta isn’t a controlled substance, doctors have been cautioned to carefully monitor patients who are on the prescription for any ill side effects. Some patients are more sensitive to the medications that make up Nuedexta than others.

Neudexta may cause hepatic as well as renal impairment, so close monitoring is required to ensure that patients are stable on the medication.xta may cause hepatic impairment as well as renal impairment so close monitoring is required to ensure that patients are stable on the medication.