1.1 Parkinson's Disease (PD)

NEUPRO is indicated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

1.2 Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

NEUPRO is indicated for the treatment of moderate-to-severe primary Restless Legs Syndrome.

2.1 Dosage in Parkinson's Disease

2.2 Dosage in Restless Legs Syndrome

In patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, the recommended starting dose for NEUPRO is 1 mg/24 hours. Based upon individual patient clinical response and tolerability, NEUPRO dosage may be increased weekly by 1 mg/24 hours if additional therapeutic effect is needed. The lowest effective dose is 1 mg/24 hours. The maximum recommended dose is 3 mg/24 hours.

2.3 Administration Information

NEUPRO is applied once a day. The adhesive side of the transdermal system should be applied to clean, dry, intact healthy skin on the front of the abdomen, thigh, hip, flank, shoulder, or upper arm. The transdermal system should be applied at approximately the same time every day, at a convenient time for the patient.

Because NEUPRO is administered transdermally, food is not expected to affect absorption and it can be applied irrespective of the timing of meals. The application site for NEUPRO should be moved on a daily basis (for example, from the right side to the left side and from the upper body to the lower body). NEUPRO should not be applied to the same application site more than once every 14 days and should not be placed on skin that is oily, irritated, or damaged, or where it will be rubbed by tight clothing. If it is necessary to apply NEUPRO to a hairy area, the area should be shaved at least 3 days prior to NEUPRO application. The system should be applied immediately after opening the pouch and removing the protective liner. The system should be pressed firmly in place for 30 seconds, making sure there is good contact, especially around the edges. If the patient forgets to replace NEUPRO, or if the transdermal system becomes dislodged, another transdermal system should be applied for the remainder of the day. The prescribed dose may be achieved using single or multiple patches [see Patient Counseling Information (17)].

2.4 Discontinuation of NEUPRO

For discontinuation of NEUPRO in patients with Parkinson's disease, reduce the daily dose by a maximum of 2 mg every 24 hours preferably every other day, until complete withdrawal of NEUPRO is achieved.

For discontinuation of NEUPRO in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, reduce the daily dose by 1 mg every 24 hours preferably every other day, until complete withdrawal of NEUPRO is achieved.

5.1 Sulfite Sensitivity

NEUPRO contains sodium metabisulfite, a sulfite that may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. The overall prevalence of sulfite sensitivity in the general population is unknown. Sulfite sensitivity is seen more frequently in asthmatic than in nonasthmatic people.

5.2 Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence

Patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and with Restless Legs Syndrome treated with NEUPRO have reported falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living, including the operation of motor vehicles, which sometimes resulted in accidents. Although many of these patients reported somnolence while on NEUPRO, some did not perceive warning signs, such as excessive drowsiness, and believed that they were alert immediately prior to the event. Some of these events have been reported as late as one year after initiation of treatment. In clinical trials in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, 2% of patients treated with the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose (3 mg/24 hours) reported sleep attacks compared to 0% of placebo-treated patients.

It has been reported that falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living always occurs in a setting of pre-existing somnolence, although patients may not give such a history. For this reason, prescribers should reassess patients for drowsiness or sleepiness especially since some of the events occur well after the start of treatment.

Somnolence is a common occurrence in patients receiving NEUPRO. In patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, there was an increased risk of somnolence for early-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 19%, placebo 3%), for advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 32%, placebo 28%), and for Restless Legs Syndrome (NEUPRO 10%, placebo 4%). Prescribers should also be aware that patients may not acknowledge drowsiness or sleepiness until directly questioned about drowsiness or sleepiness during specific activities. Patients should be advised to exercise caution while driving, operating machines, or working at heights during treatment with NEUPRO. Patients who have already experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset should not participate in these activities while taking NEUPRO.

Before initiating treatment with NEUPRO, patients should be advised of the potential to develop drowsiness and specifically asked about factors that may increase this risk with NEUPRO such as concomitant sedating medications and the presence of sleep disorders. If a patient develops daytime sleepiness or episodes of falling asleep during activities that require active participation (e.g., conversations, eating, etc.), NEUPRO should ordinarily be discontinued [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

If a decision is made to continue NEUPRO, patients should be advised not to drive and to avoid other potentially dangerous activities. There is insufficient information to establish whether dose reduction will eliminate episodes of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living.

5.3 Hallucinations/Psychosis

There was an increased risk for hallucinations in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease treated with NEUPRO. In patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, the incidence of hallucinations was 7% for NEUPRO and 3% for placebo, and this treatment difference increased with increasing dose.

Hallucinations were of sufficient severity to cause discontinuation of treatment (mainly during the dose escalation/titration period) in 3% of advanced-stage Parkinson's disease patients treated with the maximum recommended dose of NEUPRO compared with 1% of placebo-treated patients. Hallucinations have also been reported in post-marketing reports.

Post-marketing reports indicate that patients with Parkinson's disease or RLS may experience new or worsening mental status and behavioral changes, which may be severe, including psychotic behavior during NEUPRO treatment or after starting or increasing the dose of NEUPRO. Other drugs prescribed to improve the symptoms of Parkinson's disease or RLS can have similar effects on thinking and behavior. This abnormal thinking and behavior may consist of one or more of the following: paranoid ideation, delusions, hallucinations, confusion, symptoms of mania (e.g., insomnia, psychomotor agitation), disorientation, aggressive behavior, agitation, and delirium. These various manifestations of psychotic behavior were also observed during the clinical development of NEUPRO for early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome.

Patients with a major psychotic disorder should ordinarily not be treated with NEUPRO because of the risk of exacerbating psychosis. In addition, certain medications used to treat psychosis may exacerbate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease and may decrease the effectiveness of NEUPRO [see Drug Interactions (7.1)].

5.4 Symptomatic Hypotension

Dopaminergic agonists, in clinical studies and clinical experience, appear to impair the systemic regulation of blood pressure, resulting in postural/orthostatic hypotension, especially during dose escalation. Parkinson's disease patients, in addition, appear to have an impaired capacity to respond to a postural challenge. For these reasons, both Parkinson's and Restless Legs Syndrome patients being treated with dopaminergic agonists ordinarily (1) require careful monitoring for signs and symptoms of postural hypotension, especially during dose escalation, and (2) should be informed of this risk.

An increased risk for decreases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed when supine, standing, and changing from supine to standing position in patients treated with NEUPRO. In patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, orthostatic (change from supine to standing) decreases in systolic blood pressure (at least 20 mm Hg or greater) was 16% for NEUPRO and 14% for placebo in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease, 32% for NEUPRO and 27% for placebo in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, and 13% for NEUPRO and 11% for placebo in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

More severe decreases in systolic blood pressure (40 mm Hg or greater) and in diastolic blood pressure (20 mm Hg or greater) also occurred more frequently (NEUPRO incidence at least 2% greater than placebo) in patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease during measurements when supine, standing, or changing from supine to standing position. Patients experienced dose-related decreases in blood pressure at different times throughout the trial including the final visit.

An analysis using a variety of adverse reaction terms suggestive of orthostatic hypotension, including dizziness/postural dizziness and others, showed an increased risk for all patients treated with NEUPRO. For the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, the incidence of adverse reactions suggestive of hypotension/orthostatic hypotension was 29% for NEUPRO and 11% for placebo in early-stage Parkinson's disease, 27% for NEUPRO and 23% for placebo in advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, and 8% for NEUPRO and 7% for placebo in Restless Legs Syndrome.

This increased risk for symptomatic hypotension and decreases in blood pressure was observed in a setting in which patients were very carefully titrated, and patients with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease or symptomatic orthostatic hypotension at baseline had been excluded from this study. The increased risk for significant decreases in blood pressure or orthostatic hypotension occurred especially in the dose escalation/titration period.

5.5 Syncope

Syncope has been reported in patients using dopamine agonists, and for this reason patients should be alerted to the possibility of syncope. Because the studies of NEUPRO excluded patients with clinically relevant cardiovascular disease, patients with severe cardiovascular disease should be asked about symptoms of syncope and pre-syncope.

5.6 Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors

Patients may experience intense urges to gamble, increased sexual urges, intense urges to spend money, binge eating, and/or other intense urges, and the inability to control these urges while taking one or more of the medications, including NEUPRO, that increase central dopaminergic tone. In some cases, although not all, these urges were reported to have stopped when the dose was reduced or the medication was discontinued. Because patients may not recognize these behaviors as abnormal, it is important for prescribers to specifically ask patients or their caregivers about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, uncontrolled spending, or other urges while being treated with NEUPRO for Parkinson's disease or RLS. Dopamine dysregulation syndrome, the repeated use of more NEUPRO than as prescribed to manage their symptoms of Parkinson's disease or RLS, was observed in some patients during treatment with NEUPRO. Physicians should consider dose reduction or stopping the medication if a patient develops such urges while taking NEUPRO.

5.7 Elevation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Some patients treated with NEUPRO exhibited increases in systolic blood pressure (greater than 180 mm Hg) and/or diastolic blood pressure (greater than 105 mm Hg) while supine or standing. In patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, this increased risk for systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mm Hg was 5% for NEUPRO and 3% for placebo and for diastolic blood pressure greater than 105 mm Hg was 4% for NEUPRO and 0% for placebo. In patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, this increased risk for diastolic blood pressure greater than 105 mm Hg was 8% for NEUPRO and 4% for placebo.

Increases in systolic blood pressure (at least 20 mm Hg or more) and in diastolic blood pressure (at least 10 mm Hg or more) occurred more frequently (incidence at least 5% greater than placebo) in all patients (i.e., early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome) taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose. These increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were observed when supine, standing, and changing from supine to standing position. More severe increases in systolic blood pressure (40 mm Hg or more) and in diastolic blood pressure (20 mm Hg or more) also occurred more frequently (incidence at least 2% greater than placebo) in NEUPRO-treated patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and with Restless Legs Syndrome during measurements when supine, standing, and/or changing from supine to standing position.

In the placebo-controlled trials, there was an increased risk for hypertension as an adverse reaction with the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 3% vs. placebo 0%) and Restless Legs Syndrome (NEUPRO 4% vs. placebo 0%).

Some patients treated with NEUPRO exhibited increased pulse (greater than 100 beats per minute) while supine and/or standing. In patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, there was an increased risk (at least 2% greater than placebo) of increased pulse for patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose. In patients with Restless Legs Syndrome, there was an increased risk (at least 5% greater than placebo) of increased pulse for patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose.

These findings of blood pressure and heart rate elevations should be considered when treating patients with cardiovascular disease.

5.8 Weight Gain and Fluid Retention

Patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose for early-stage Parkinson's disease had a higher incidence (2%) of substantial weight gain (more than 10% of baseline weight) than patients taking placebo (0%). In advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, the incidence of weight gain more than 10% of baseline weight was 9% in NEUPRO-treated patients (for the maximum recommended dose) and 1% in placebo-treated patients. This weight gain was frequently associated with the development of peripheral edema in patients with Parkinson's disease, suggesting that NEUPRO may cause fluid retention in some Parkinson's patients. In patients taking the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, the incidence of peripheral edema was 3% for NEUPRO and 2% for placebo in early-stage Parkinson's disease and 9% for NEUPRO and 1% for placebo in advanced-stage Parkinson's disease. These treatment differences increased further with treatment at NEUPRO dosing above the maximum recommended doses. Monitor for weight gain and fluid retention when treating patients with concomitant illnesses such as congestive heart failure or renal insufficiency.

5.9 Dyskinesia

NEUPRO may potentiate the dopaminergic side effects of levodopa and may cause or exacerbate pre-existing dyskinesia. For the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, the incidence of dyskinesia was increased for NEUPRO (NEUPRO 14% vs. placebo 7%) in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, and this incidence increased with increasing dose. Patients treated with the maximum recommended dose of NEUPRO also had an increased risk (NEUPRO 3% vs. placebo 0%) for early discontinuation from the study because of dyskinesia.

5.10 Application Site Reactions

Application site reactions (ASRs) occurred at a greater frequency in the NEUPRO-treated patients than in placebo-treated patients in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response studies with NEUPRO. For the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose, the incidence of application site reactions was 32% for NEUPRO and 19% for placebo in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease, 36% for NEUPRO and 13% for placebo in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease, and 43% for NEUPRO and 4% for placebo in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome. ASRs exhibited a dose-dependent relationship for all doses for patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and Restless Legs Syndrome. ASRs were also of sufficient severity to cause study discontinuation for patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 3% vs. placebo 0%), advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 2% vs. placebo 0%), and Restless Legs Syndrome (NEUPRO 12% vs. placebo 0%) who were treated with the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose.

The signs and symptoms of these reactions generally were localized erythema, edema, or pruritus limited to the patch area and usually did not lead to dose reduction. Generalized skin reactions (e.g., allergic rash, including erythematous, macular-papular rash, or pruritus) have been reported at lower rates than ASRs during the development of NEUPRO.

In a clinical study designed to investigate the cumulative skin irritation of NEUPRO, daily rotation of NEUPRO application sites has been shown to reduce the incidence of ASRs in comparison to repetitive application to the same site. In a clinical study investigating the skin sensitizing potential of NEUPRO in 221 healthy subjects, no case of contact sensitization was observed. Localized sensitization reactions were observed in a study with healthy subjects by continuously rotating a 0.5 mg/24 hours transdermal system, after induction of maximal irritational stress was achieved by repetitive transdermal system application to the same site.

If a patient reports a persistent application site reaction (of more than a few days), reports an increase in severity, or reports a skin reaction spreading outside the application site, an assessment of the risk and benefits for the individual patient should be conducted. If a generalized skin reaction associated with the use of NEUPRO is observed, NEUPRO should be discontinued.

5.11 Augmentation and Rebound in RLS

Augmentation is a worsening of RLS symptoms during treatment, leading to an increase in overall symptom severity or earlier time of symptom onset each day compared to before initiation of treatment. Use of dopaminergic medications, including NEUPRO, may result in augmentation.

Rebound, an exacerbation of RLS symptoms, is considered to be an end of dose effect, related to the half-life of the therapeutic agent. Reports in the published literature indicate discontinuation or wearing off of dopaminergic medications can result in rebound.

5.12 Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cardioversion

The backing layer of NEUPRO contains aluminum. To avoid skin burns, NEUPRO should be removed prior to magnetic resonance imaging or cardioversion.

5.13 Heat Application

The effect of application of heat to the transdermal system has not been studied. However, heat application has been shown to increase absorption several fold with other transdermal products. Patients should be advised to avoid exposing the NEUPRO application site to external sources of direct heat, such as heating pads or electric blankets, heat lamps, saunas, hot tubs, heated water beds, and prolonged direct sunlight.

5.14 Hyperpyrexia and Confusion

A symptom complex resembling the neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by elevated temperature, muscular rigidity, altered consciousness, rhabdomyolysis, and/or autonomic instability), with no other obvious etiology, has been reported in association with rapid dose reduction, withdrawal of, or changes in anti- Parkinsonian therapy. Therefore, it is recommended that the dose be tapered at the end of NEUPRO treatment [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

5.15 Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms including apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, sweating and pain have been reported during taper or after discontinuation of dopamine agonists, including NEUPRO. These symptoms generally do not respond to levodopa.

Prior to discontinuation, patients should be informed about potential withdrawal symptoms, and monitored during and after discontinuation. In case of severe withdrawal symptoms, a trial re-administration of a dopamine agonist at the lowest effective dose may be considered.

5.16 Fibrotic Complications

Cases of retroperitoneal fibrosis, pulmonary infiltrates, pleural effusion, pleural thickening, pericarditis, and cardiac valvulopathy have been reported in some patients treated with ergot-derived dopaminergic agents. While these complications may resolve when the drug is discontinued, complete resolution does not always occur.

Although these adverse events are believed to be related to the ergoline structure of these compounds, whether other, nonergot-derived dopamine agonists can cause them is unknown.

5.17 Binding to Melanin

As has been reported with other dopamine agonists, binding to melanin-containing tissues (i.e., eyes) in the pigmented rat and monkey was evident after a single dose of rotigotine, but was slowly cleared over the 14-day observation period.

6.1 Clinical Trials Experience

Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, the incidence of adverse reactions (number of unique patients experiencing an adverse reaction associated with treatment/total number of patients treated) observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to incidence of adverse reactions in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the incidence of adverse reactions observed in practice.

6.2 Laboratory Changes

Some clinical laboratory analytes were abnormal in patients treated with the maximum recommended NEUPRO dose in the fixed-dose, placebo-controlled, dose-response trials for patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease and with RLS.

Patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO had an increased risk for low hemoglobin below the normal reference range (NEUPRO 8% vs. placebo 2%) and for decreased hematocrit below the normal reference range (NEUPRO 8% vs. placebo 5%). Patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO had an increased risk for a low hemoglobin below the normal reference range (NEUPRO 15% vs. placebo 11%) and for decreased hematocrit below the normal reference range (NEUPRO 17% vs. placebo 14%). Patients with RLS receiving NEUPRO had an increased risk for a decreased hemoglobin below the normal reference range (NEUPRO 15% vs. placebo 12%). There was also an increased risk for markedly decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit (NEUPRO 2% vs. placebo 0%) in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO and for markedly decreased hematocrit (NEUPRO 1% vs. placebo 0%) in patients with RLS receiving NEUPRO.

Patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO had an increased risk for elevated serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) above the normal reference range (NEUPRO 11% vs. placebo 2%). There was also an increased risk for markedly elevated serum BUN (NEUPRO 3% vs. placebo 2%) in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO.

There was an increased risk for low serum glucose below the normal reference range in patients with early- stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO (NEUPRO 15% vs. placebo 6%) and in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (NEUPRO 10% vs. placebo 7%). There was also an increased risk for markedly decreased serum glucose (NEUPRO 1% vs. placebo 0%) in patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease receiving NEUPRO.

Serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) was elevated in Japanese patients taking NEUPRO for early- or advanced-stage Parkinson's disease in placebo-controlled, flexible-dose studies conducted in Japan. The frequency of CPK elevation observed in patients receiving NEUPRO for early-stage Parkinson's disease was 40% (35/88) in the NEUPRO group compared to 17% (15/89) in the placebo group. The frequency of CPK elevation observed in patients receiving NEUPRO for advanced-stage Parkinson's disease was 39% (99/253) in the NEUPRO group compared to 20% (34/171) in the placebo group using pooled data from two studies.

Increased CPK occurred at any time during the respective studies, and in some instances increased CPK was observed at two or more consecutive visits. The total daily dose of NEUPRO taken by patients with early- and advanced-stage Parkinson's disease ranged between 2 mg/24 hours to 16 mg/24 hours. Studies of NEUPRO conducted outside of Japan did not include assessments of serum CPK in patients treated for Parkinson's disease. Increased CPK was also reported in postmarketing data.

6.3 Postmarketing Experience

The following adverse reaction has been identified during post-approval use of NEUPRO. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: withdrawal symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)]

Nervous System Disorders: Dropped head syndrome

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders: Rhabdomyolysis

7.1 Dopamine Antagonists

Dopamine antagonists, such as antipsychotics or metoclopramide, may diminish the effectiveness of NEUPRO [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].

8.1 Pregnancy

8.2 Lactation

8.4 Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients for any indication have not been established.

8.5 Geriatric Use

Of patients receiving NEUPRO in clinical studies for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, approximately 50% were age 65 and over, and approximately 11% were age 75 and over. Among patients receiving NEUPRO in clinical studies for the treatment of RLS, 26% were age 65 and over. No overall differences in safety or effectiveness were observed between these patients and younger patients, and other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients, but greater sensitivity of some older individuals cannot be ruled out.

No overall differences in plasma levels of rotigotine were observed between patients who were 65 to 80 years old compared with younger patients receiving the same rotigotine doses.

10.1 Overdose Symptoms

The most likely symptoms of overdose would be those related to the pharmacodynamic profile of a dopamine agonist, including nausea, vomiting, hypotension, involuntary movements, hallucinations, confusion, convulsions, and other signs of excessive dopaminergic stimulation.

10.2 Overdose Management

There is no known antidote for overdosage of dopamine agonists. In case of suspected overdose, the excess transdermal system(s) should immediately be removed from the patient. Concentrations of rotigotine decrease after patch removal. The terminal half-life of rotigotine is 5 to 7 hours. The pharmacokinetic profile showed a biphasic elimination with an initial half-life of 3 hours. The patient's heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure should be monitored. As shown in a study of renally impaired patients, dialysis is not expected to be beneficial. Treatment of overdose may require general supportive measures to maintain vital signs. If it is necessary to discontinue use of rotigotine after overdose, it should be discontinued gradually to prevent hyperpyrexia and confusion [see Dosage and Administration (2.4) and Warnings and Precautions (5.14)].

System Components and Structure

NEUPRO is a thin, matrix-type transdermal system composed of three layers as shown in Figure 1:

1. A flexible, tan-colored backing film, consisting of an aluminized polyester film coated with a pigment-layer on the outer side. The backing provides structural support and protection of the drug-loaded adhesive layer from the environment.
2. A self-adhesive drug matrix layer, consisting of the active component rotigotine and the following inactive components: ascorbyl palmitate, povidone, silicone adhesive, sodium metabisulfite, and dl-alpha-tocopherol.
3. A protective liner, consisting of a transparent fluoropolymer-coated polyester film. This liner protects the adhesive layer during storage and is removed just prior to application.

12.1 Mechanism of Action

Rotigotine is a non-ergoline dopamine agonist. The precise mechanism of action of rotigotine as a treatment for Parkinson's disease is unknown, although it is thought to be related to its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors within the caudate-putamen in the brain. The precise mechanism of action of rotigotine as a treatment for Restless Legs Syndrome is unknown but is thought to be related to its ability to stimulate dopamine receptors.

12.2 Pharmacodynamics

12.3 Pharmacokinetics

On average, approximately 45% of the rotigotine from the patch is released within 24 hours (0.2 mg/cm2). Rotigotine is primarily eliminated in the urine as inactive conjugates. After removal of the patch, plasma levels decreased with a terminal half-life of 5 to 7 hours. The pharmacokinetic profile showed a biphasic elimination with an initial half-life of 3 hours.

Absorption and Bioavailability

When single doses of 8 mg/24 hours are applied to the trunk, there is an average lag time of approximately 3 hours until drug is detected in plasma (range 1 to 8 hours). Tmax typically occurs between 15 to 18 hours post dose but can occur from 4 to 27 hours post dose. However, there is no characteristic peak concentration observed. Rotigotine displays dose-proportionality over a daily dose range of 1 mg/24 hours to 24 mg/24 hours. In the clinical studies of rotigotine effectiveness, the transdermal system application site was rotated from day to day (abdomen, thigh, hip, flank, shoulder, or upper arm) and the mean measured plasma concentrations of rotigotine were stable over the 6 months of maintenance treatment. Relative bioavailability for the different application sites at steady-state was evaluated in subjects with Parkinson's disease. In a single trial conducted in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease, differences in bioavailability ranged from less than 1% (abdomen vs. hip) to 46% (shoulder vs. thigh) with shoulder application showing higher bioavailability.

Because rotigotine is administered transdermally, food should not affect absorption.

In a 14-day clinical study with rotigotine administered to healthy subjects, steady-state plasma concentrations were achieved within 2 to 3 days of daily dosing.

Average NEUPRO plasma concentrations (±95% CI) in patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease are shown in Figure 2 after application of a 8 mg/24 hours transdermal system to 1 of 6 application sites (shoulder, upper arm, flank, hip, abdomen, or thigh) on 2 different days during the maintenance phase.

Figure 2 Average NEUPRO Plasma Concentrations in Patients with Early-Stage Parkinson's Disease

13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

13.2 Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology

14.1 Parkinson's Disease

The effectiveness of NEUPRO in the treatment of the signs and symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease was established in five parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted in the U.S. and abroad. Three of these five trials enrolled patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease (not receiving levodopa), and two enrolled patients with advanced-stage Parkinson's disease who were receiving levodopa. Depending on trial design, patients underwent a weekly titration of NEUPRO in 2 mg/24 hours increments to either the randomized dose or optimal dose. Back titrations by 2 mg/24 hours decrement of NEUPRO were permitted for intolerable adverse events. Patch application sites were changed on a daily basis.

Change from baseline in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Parts II + III, served as the primary outcome assessment measure in the early-stage studies. The UPDRS is a four-part multi-item rating scale intended to evaluate mentation (Part I), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) (Part II), motor performance (Part III), and complications of therapy (Part IV). Part II of the UPDRS contains 13 questions relating to ADL, which are scored from 0 (normal) to 4 (maximal severity) for a maximum (worst) score of 52. Part III of the UPDRS contains 27 questions (for 14 items) and is scored as described for Part II. Part III is designed to assess the severity of the cardinal motor findings in patients with Parkinson's disease (e.g., tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability, etc.), scored for different body regions, and has a maximum (worst) score of 108.

Change from baseline in time spent "off" (hours) based on daily diaries was the primary outcome assessment in the two trials of advanced-stage Parkinson's disease (with levodopa).

14.2 Restless Legs Syndrome

The clinical program included 1309 patients with moderate-to-severe RLS. The efficacy of NEUPRO in the treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was primarily evaluated in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose trials with maintenance periods of 6 months duration. Patients received NEUPRO doses ranging from 0.5 mg/24 hours to 3 mg/24 hours or placebo once daily. In these two trials, the mean duration of RLS was 2.1 to 3.1 years, mean age was approximately 55 years (range 19-78 years), approximately 68% were women, and 97% were Caucasian. In both trials, patches were applied to different application sites including the abdomen, thigh, hip, flank, shoulder, and/or upper arm and patch application sites were rotated on a daily basis.

The two outcome measures used to assess the effect of treatment as co-primary efficacy endpoints were the International RLS Rating Scale (IRLS Scale) and a Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I) assessment. The IRLS Scale contains 10 items designed to assess the severity of sensory and motor symptoms, sleep disturbance, daytime somnolence, and impact on activities of daily living and mood associated with RLS. The range of scores is 0 to 40, with 0 being absence of RLS symptoms and 40 the most severe symptoms. The CGI-I is designed to assess clinical progress (global improvement) on a 7-point scale.

Store at 20º - 25ºC (68º - 77ºF); excursions permitted between 15º - 30ºC (59º - 86ºF). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature]

NEUPRO should be stored in the original pouch. Do not store outside of pouch.

Apply the transdermal system immediately upon removal from the pouch. Discard used systems in household trash in a manner that prevents accidental application or ingestion by children, pets, or others.

Sulfite Sensitivity

Advise patients about potential for sulfite sensitivity. NEUPRO contains sodium metabisulfite, which may cause allergic-type reactions including anaphylactic symptoms and life-threatening or less severe asthmatic episodes in certain susceptible people. An allergy to sulfites is not the same as an allergy to sulfa [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Falling Asleep During Activities of Daily Living and Somnolence

Advise and alert patients about the potential for sedating effects associated with NEUPRO, including somnolence and particularly to the possibility of falling asleep while engaged in activities of daily living. Because somnolence can be a frequent adverse reaction with potentially serious consequences, patients should neither drive a car nor engage in other potentially dangerous activities until they have gained sufficient experience with NEUPRO to gauge whether or not it affects their mental and/or motor performance adversely. Advise patients that if increased somnolence or new episodes of falling asleep during activities of daily living (e.g., watching television, passenger in a car, etc.) are experienced at any time during treatment, they should not drive or participate in potentially dangerous activities until they have contacted their physician. Patients should not drive, operate machinery, or work at heights during treatment if they have previously experienced somnolence and/or have fallen asleep without warning prior to use of NEUPRO.

Because of the possible additive effects, caution should also be used when patients are taking alcohol, sedating medications, or other CNS depressants (e.g., benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, antidepressants, etc.) in combination with NEUPRO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Hallucinations/Psychosis

Inform patients that hallucinations and other symptoms of psychosis can occur while taking NEUPRO. In patients with Parkinson's disease, the elderly are at a higher risk than younger patients [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Symptomatic Hypotension

Advise patients that they may develop symptomatic (or asymptomatic) hypotension while taking NEUPRO. Hypotension may occur more frequently during initial therapy. Accordingly, caution patients against rising rapidly after sitting or lying down, especially if they have been doing so for prolonged periods and especially at the initiation of treatment with NEUPRO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

Syncope

Advise patients about the potential for syncope in patients using dopamine agonists. For this reason, alert patients to the possibility of syncope while taking NEUPRO [see Warnings and Precautions (5.5)].

Impulse Control/Compulsive Behaviors

Advise patients that they may experience impulse control and/or compulsive behaviors and dopamine dysregulation syndrome while taking NEUPRO. Ask patients and advise them to inform their physicians about the development of new or increased gambling urges, sexual urges, other urges, or repeated use of more NEUPRO than as prescribed to manage their symptoms [see Warnings and Precautions (5.6)].

Elevation of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate

Advise patients that NEUPRO can increase blood pressure and heart rate [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7)].

Weight Gain and Fluid Retention

Advise patients that NEUPRO can cause increased weight and fluid retention [see Warnings and Precautions (5.8)].

Dyskinesia

Inform patients that NEUPRO may cause or exacerbate pre-existing dyskinesia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.9)].

Application Site Reactions

Inform patients that application site reactions can occur and that the NEUPRO transdermal system application site should be rotated on a daily basis. NEUPRO should not be applied to the same application site more than once every 14 days. Advise patients to report persistent application site reaction (of more than a few days), increases in severity, or skin reactions that spread outside the application site to their physician [see Warnings and Precautions (5.10)].

If there is a skin rash or irritation from the transdermal system, direct sunlight on the area should be avoided until the skin heals. Exposure could lead to changes in the skin color.

Augmentation and Rebound in RLS

Inform patients that NEUPRO may cause RLS symptoms to have an earlier onset during the day or become worse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.11)].

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cardioversion

Inform patients to remove NEUPRO before undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or cardioversion. These procedures could cause a burn to the site where NEUPRO is applied [see Warnings and Precautions (5.12)].

Heat Application

Advise patients about the potential for heat application to increase drug absorption. Because applying external heat (e.g., a heating pad, sauna, or hot bath) to the transdermal system may increase the amount of drug absorbed, instruct patients to avoid applying heating pads or other sources of heat to the area of the transdermal system. Direct sun exposure of the transdermal system should also be avoided [see Warnings and Precautions (5.13)].

Nausea, Vomiting, and Dyspepsia

Inform patients that NEUPRO causes nausea, vomiting, and general gastrointestinal distress (i.e., dyspepsia/abdominal discomfort). Nausea and vomiting may occur more frequently during initial therapy and may require dose adjustment.

Withdrawal-Emergent Hyperpyrexia and Confusion

Advise patients who have been prescribed a lower dose or who have been withdrawn from the drug to notify their healthcare provider if they have symptoms such as fever, muscular rigidity, or altered consciousness [see Warnings and Precautions (5.14)].

Withdrawal Symptoms

Advise patients that withdrawal symptoms may occur during or after discontinuation or dose reduction of NEUPRO. Advise patients who have been prescribed a lower dose or who have been withdrawn from the drug to notify their healthcare provider if they have withdrawal symptoms such as apathy, anxiety, depression, fatigue, insomnia, sweating, or pain. Notify patients that in case of severe withdrawal symptoms, a trial re-administration of a dopamine agonist at the lowest effective dose may be considered [see Warnings and Precautions (5.15)].

Pregnancy

Because the teratogenic potential of rotigotine has not been completely established in laboratory animals, and because experience in humans is limited, advise women to notify their physicians if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant during therapy [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1)].

Lactation

Because of the possibility that rotigotine may be excreted in breast milk, advise women to notify their physicians if they intend to breastfeed or are breastfeeding an infant [see Use in Specific Populations (8.2)].

Instructions for Use

Instruct patients to wear NEUPRO continuously for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the patch should be removed and a new one applied immediately. Patients can choose the most convenient time of day or night to apply NEUPRO but should be advised to apply the patch at approximately the same time each day. If a patient forgets to change a patch, a new patch should be applied as soon as possible and replaced at the usual time the following day. Advise patients that they should only discontinue use of NEUPRO under the supervision of a healthcare professional to reduce the risk for hyperpyrexia and confusion associated with sudden discontinuation or dose reduction.

The application site for NEUPRO should be moved on a daily basis (for example, from the right side to the left side and from the upper body to the lower body). NEUPRO should not be applied to the same application site more than once every 14 days.

NEUPRO should be applied immediately after opening the pouch and removing the protective liner. The system should be pressed firmly in place for 30 seconds, making sure there is good contact, especially around the edges.

NEUPRO should be applied once daily to clean, dry, and intact skin on the abdomen, thigh, hip, flank, shoulder, or upper arm. Shave hairy areas at least 3 days prior to applying the patch. Do not apply to areas that could be rubbed by tight clothing, or under a waistband, to skin folds, or to skin that is red or irritated. Creams, lotions, ointments, oils, and powders should not be applied to the skin area where NEUPRO will be placed. Patients should wash their hands to remove any drug and should be careful not to touch their eyes or any objects [see Dosage and Administration (2)].

Instruct patients not to cut or damage NEUPRO.

Care should be used to avoid dislodging the patch while showering, bathing or during physical activity. If the edges of the patch lift, NEUPRO may be taped down with bandage tape. If the patch detaches, a new one may be applied immediately to a different site. The patient should then change the patch according to their regular schedule.