Opicapone in UK clinical practice: effectiveness, safety and cost analysis in patients with Parkinson's disease

Aim: This subanalysis of the OPTIPARK study aimed to confirm the effectiveness and safety of opicapone in patients with Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations in clinical practice specifically in the UK and to assess the impact of opicapone on treatment costs. Methods: Patients received opicapone added to levodopa for 6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 3 and 6 months and treatment costs at 6 months. Results: Most patients' general condition improved at 3 months, with sustained improvements reported at 6 months. Opicapone improved motor and non-motor symptoms at both timepoints, was generally well tolerated and reduced total treatment costs by GBP 3719. Conclusion: Opicapone added to levodopa resulted in clinical improvements and reduced treatment costs across UK clinical practice. Plain language summary Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often experience motor fluctuations (reduced and variable response to medication) following prolonged treatment with levodopa, which is currently the most effective treatment for the symptoms of PD. Opicapone has been developed for use in combination with levodopa to reduce the occurrence of motor fluctuations and was shown to be effective in two large clinical trials. This study describes the effectiveness, safety and cost-saving impact of opicapone when used to treat patients with PD and motor fluctuations across everyday clinical practice in the UK. Six months' treatment with opicapone was generally well tolerated, resulted in an improvement of the patients' overall PD condition and reduced treatment costs.