Interesting Nuedexta Off Label Uses Such as Parkinsons and MS

Off Label Uses of Nuedexta

Are you familiar with the combination drug Nuedexta? If so, then you may know someone who suffers from Pseudo-Bulbar Affect (PBA). This condition is relatively uncommon in the US, but it can have an enormous impact on the life of patients. It is characterized by uncontrollable episodes of laughing or crying, even if it doesn’t match how the person feels inside. Approximately 2 million individuals in the US suffer from PBA.

Nuedexta is the first-ever FDA approved treatment for PBA. It is a combination drug that includes dextromethorphan as well as the class I antiarrhythmic agent quinidine. Most patients with PBA also have some form of brain injury or other neurologic condition. Nuedexta has proven to be a lifesaver for them. However, it’s interesting to note that Nuedexta can also be used for treating other medical conditions.

Several studies have been conducted to test the efficacy of Nuedexta for treating other disorders. Early results appear to be very promising, with health experts recommending the use of Nuedexta even for patients who do not suffer from PBA. These off-label uses of the drug Nuedexta might scare off some people, with many fearing that the drug might cause certain side effects that will only worsen the condition.

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Alzheimer’s disease is one of the first medical conditions for which index is tested. Health experts conducted a randomized clinical trial to see how effective it will be for patients with Alzheimer’s and significant agitation. The group was divided in two. The first was provided with Nuedexta, while the other was given a placebo. It has been shown that Nuedexta was able to help patients manage their dementia symptoms better.

Similar results were seen when Nuedexta was given to people with bipolar disorder. All of the patients had some form of depressive symptoms for two years at a minimum. Following 90 days of treatment, signs of improvement were readily seen in the patients. Health experts, however, agree that more studies are necessary to have reliable evidence for proving the effectiveness of Nuedexta for treating bipolar disorder.

Additional OFF Label Uses of Nuedexta Drug

20-10 DMQ Nuedexta

Scientists also conducted a study involving patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The goal was to evaluate the tolerability of the combination drug with diabetic neuropathy. Interestingly, the researchers found out that the drug leads to a significant reduction in pain while also improving sleep and overall quality of life. However, it’s important to note that for this study, in particular, a higher dosage was used than normal. This change in dosage could have had a large impact on the results of the research.

As you can see, there are plenty of Nuedexta off label uses, even for some of the more severe medical conditions. This doesn’t mean, however, that you should use it for the conditions are suffering from without the guidance of a medical professional. Also, you should make sure that you take the right dose of Nuedexta to avoid potential side effects. It’s important to keep in mind that despite the promising results of different studies, more evidence is needed to fully establish the effectiveness of Nuedexta off label uses when it comes to treating other medical conditions.

The medication used to make up the Nuedexta drug is in part what is used to also treat Parkinsons and MS.  While Nuedexta for Parkinsons is not a confirmed treatment for the disease, there is a clinical trial that was done that showed promising results of the use of the drug to treat the disease.

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Just like using any medication, be sure to work closely with your doctor so you can make sure that you are a perfect candidate for Nuedexta. There are instances in which the combination drug might cause more harm than good for your body. It can interact with other prescription medications you’re taking. Speak with your doctor first and ask how much to take daily and for how long. Following your physician’s instructions is always recommended to obtain optimal results.

Nuedexta Generic Version

Generic Nuedexta

Nuedexta is the brand name of the drug dextromethorphan hydrobromide/quinidine sulfate manufactured by Avanir Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of neurological disorders. It is the first pGeneric form of Nuedextarescription medication, and the only FDA-approved the drug for the treatment of PBA or PseudoBulbarAffect. Neudexta consists of a combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine, two medicines used separately in the treatment of other conditions. It is taken orally in capsules of 20mg and 10mg strengths.

Generic Version Of Neudexta

Currently, there is no approved version in the United States that is therapeutically equivalent to Neudexta. Any attempt by fraudulent online providers to sell a Neudexta generic version is illegal and counterfeit and may be potentially harmful. Anyone who purchases medications online must ensure that they are dealing with legitimate and valid online pharmacies. It is best to consult your health care provider if there is any doubt about the legitimacy of a pharmacy before purchasing medication online.




How Does Neudexta Work?

Neudexta is a combination of dextromethorphan (generally found in cough syrup to suppress a cough) and quinidine (used in the treatment of certain neurological disorders).

Dextromethorphan acts on the signals from the brain that trigger the cough reflex to suppress a cough. Quinidine has an effect on the heartbeat and is used to treat certain disorders in heart rhythms.

Neudexta is the combination of these two medications and is utilized in the treatment of certain neurological disorders to treat people who suffer from the involuntary outburst of laughing and crying, as well as ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It is also the only medication prescribed and approved for the treatment of PsedoBulBarAffect (PBA). The drug belongs to the drug class: “miscellaneous central nervous agents” and contains 20mg of dextromethorphan and 20mg quinidine. It is currently not classified as a controlled substance under the CSA (Controlled Substance Act).

The Benefits Of Neudexta

Avanir Pharmaceuticals said in a news release that the combination of dextromethorphan and quinidine is thought to have an effect on the neurotransmitter “glutamate.” They presented a drug study at the annual American Academy of Neurology meeting in Toronto that showed that patients reported a decrease in episodes of involuntary laughing and crying while on the drug. The FDA initially withheld approval of Neudexta in 2006 due to safety concerns that quinidine could cause an abnormal increase in heart rhythms. Avanir Pharmaceuticals reformulated the formula to contain a safer level of quinidine.




PseudoBulbar Affect is a secondary effect of a range of neurological conditions and is characterized by sudden, involuntary and frequent episodes of crying or laughing. The approval by the FDA of using Neudexta to treat Pseudobulbar Affect represents a positive step forward for patients suffering from the debilitating effects of PBA according to the vice president of the Healthcare Delivery & Policy Research at the National MS Society.

Precautions

Neudexta is not to be taken by anyone allergic to the ingredients quinidine or dextromethorphan or by those suffering from heart disease, a history of heart rhythm disorder, a history of Long QT syndrome or current use of mefloquine, quinidine or quinine. Do not take Neudexta if you have used a MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days as it may cause a dangerous drug interaction. Neudexta should not be taken without the supervision of your doctor as there is an extensive list of medications that may cause unwanted or hazardous side effects when taken with Neudexta and your drug protocol may have to be adjusted.

Danny Glover Nuedexta Commercial for Pseudobulbar affect (PBA)

Commercial for Nuedexta


You may recall the Neudexta facts commercial from a few years back that in which the famous actor Danny Glover starred.  Many people watched that TV commercial not knowing what it was about.  Those who have Pseudobulbar affect (PBA), have a better understanding the condition and appreciate the efforts of the advertisements to provide more insight into the issue and facts about Nuedexta as a treatment for the problem.




A few more commercials about PBA and the Nuedexta drug for treatment are provided below. These Nuedexta ads are quite telling and connect with people who are subject to PBA condition. Watch the PBA Commercials provided below to understand the Pseudobulbar affliction.

Can Nuedexta to Be Used for Depression

In the United States, almost 15 million adults suffer from some major depressive disorder. These adults account for approximately 7% of the population. This type of a problem can occur at any age and is more likely to occur in women than men. There are treatments for those who are depressed, but is Nuedexta one that can help an individual dealing with clinical depression?

Nuedexta drug for depression
Depression related documents and drugs

Nuedexta is a medication that is typically prescribed for a disorder known as the pseudobulbar affect (PSA). It occurs for various reasons that are associated with the brain. For example, individuals who have multiple sclerosis, suffer from a stroke or ALS may also experience pseudobulbar affect. There have been some reported cases of Nuedexta being prescribed to treat depression as well.

Pseudobulbar Affect results in symptoms that include uncontrollable outbursts of laughing or crying when an individual suffers from a neurological condition or a brain injury. It is not a new condition, but it has been described in medical literature for more than 130 years. It is more commonly a problem when brain injuries or neurological diseases affect an area of the brain that controls emotion or expression. For reasons that are not understood, the condition could trigger those uncontrolled laughing or crying episodes.




PSA is sometimes mistaken for depression, although they are two separate issues. It is noteworthy, however, that many individuals have both PSA and depression. Depression is an ongoing problem that may last for months, but episodes of PSA are typically spontaneous and may not be associated with what an individual is feeling inside.

The two ingredients found in Nuedexta are dextromethorphan and quinidine. It is not clear how the combination of medications in Nuedexta work to treat this problem. It is known that Dextromethorphan operates in the brain and that Quinidine is used along with that drug to increase its effect.

When a doctor prescribes Nuedexta for PSA, it may be possible that the individual who is suffering from the condition is also suffering from depression as well. As a result, they may feel that the medication is being prescribed to treat their depression when in fact, it is being used to treat PSA. The doctor may not have addressed the issue of the depression to the extent where he has prescribed medication for it.

That being said, there are also some doctors who have reportedly prescribed Nuedexta for individuals who suffer from depression. The results of those who use the medication may vary, but there are some reports that it has worked well for some people who may have tried other depression medication, such as Cymbalta or Abilify unsuccessfully.

Regardless of whether your doctor is prescribing Nuedexta for the treatment of PBA or depression, it is important to discuss the use of the medication with your doctor in detail. The need for this discussion is especially true when describing your medical history or any other medications that you may currently be using. In that way, your physician may be able to rule out the possibility of interactions or other issues.




Side effects may also occur when you use Nuedexta, although they do not occur in all people who use it. Those side effects can include dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, coughing, swelling of the extremities and drowsiness. Any persistent or severe side effects from any medication should be reported to your doctor immediately.

Depression is a treatable condition, and it is one that can be discussed with your physician to find a solution to the problem. Regardless of whether this drug is considered or another medication, your doctor may be able to help you to find one that works right for you.

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.