Droxidopa 100 mg Capsule, 90-count
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Adrenergic and dopaminergic agents class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
Droxidopa is used to treat symptoms (dizziness, lightheadedness, or a fainting sensation [feeling that you are about to black out]) of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (a sudden fall in blood pressure that occurs when a person assumes a standing position caused by certain nervous system conditions). Droxidopa is in a class of medications called alpha and beta-adrenergic agonists. It works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine, a natural substance in the body.
Read the full MedlinePlus article ↗- Droxidopa is designed to help with the dizziness, lightheadedness, and that scary 'about to pass out' feeling you get when you stand up too quickly. In your condition, your nervous...
- What exactly is this medication supposed to do for me?
- You'll take it three times a day — morning, midday, and late afternoon. The important rule is that your last dose must be at least 3 hours before you go to bed. As for food, it doe...
- How do I take it, and does it matter if I take it with food?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Droxidopa — tap one for details:
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💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
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UNII H3R47K3TBD
FD&C Blue No. 1 is a synthetic blue dye approved for use in foods and medicines. It serves as a colorant to give the medication its distinctive appearance and help with product identification.
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A synthetic red dye used to color medications and make them easier to identify. It serves as a colorant in tablets, capsules, and liquid formulations.
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A dark iron oxide compound that gives medicines their black or dark color. It's used as a colorant in tablets and capsules to help identify the product and make it visually distinctive.
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Gelatin is a protein derived from animal collagen, commonly used in medicines as a gelling agent and capsule material. It helps create soft or hard capsule shells that hold and release medication, and can also thicken liquid formulations.
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Magnesium stearate is a salt made from magnesium and stearic acid, a fatty substance. It's used in tablets and capsules as a lubricant and glidant to help ingredients flow smoothly during manufacturing and prevent sticking.
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A natural sugar alcohol derived from seaweed or synthesized in the lab. It's used as a filler to add bulk, a sweetener in sugar-free formulas, and a disintegrant to help tablets break apart in the stomach.
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Potassium hydroxide is a strong alkaline chemical used in medicines to adjust and maintain the pH level of liquid formulations, helping keep the product stable and the active ingredients effective.
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Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
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Shellac is a natural resin secreted by the lac beetle. It's used as a coating on tablets and capsules to control how quickly the medicine dissolves and to improve appearance and stability.
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A detergent and foaming agent derived from coconut or palm oil. In medications, it helps break down and mix oil and water-based ingredients, aids in tablet disintegration, and improves how the drug dissolves and spreads in the mouth or digestive system.
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A plant-based carbohydrate derived from corn kernels. It acts as a filler to add bulk, a binder to hold ingredients together, and a disintegrant to help the tablet break apart in your stomach for absorption.
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Titanium dioxide is a bright white mineral powder commonly used as a colorant and opacifying agent. It makes pills and tablets white or lighter in color and helps make coatings non-transparent.
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Water is a liquid solvent that dissolves and mixes ingredients together in liquid medicines, syrups, and injections. It helps distribute the active drug evenly throughout the product.
13 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
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ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per ea | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | $0.446 | $40.10 / 90 capsules |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | $1.82 | $164.00 / 90 capsules |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · Q2 2026 | $4.06 | $365.24 / 90 capsules |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Droxidopa 100 mg 00904-7392-89 | MAJOR | 90 capsules | $0.446 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 31722-0014-90 | Camber | 90 capsules | $0.446 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mgthis 70710-1389-09 | Zydus | 90 capsules | $0.446 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 82249-0551-90 | CivicaScript | 90 capsules | $0.446 | AB | Availability likely | — |
| droxidopa 100 ug 63304-0086-90 | Sun | 90 capsules | $0.674 | AB | FDA listed | +51% |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 59651-0375-90 | Aurobindo | 90 capsules | $1.002 | AB | FDA listed | +125% |
| droxidopa 100 mg 70436-0140-06 | Slate | 90 capsules | $1.002 | AB | FDA listed | +125% |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 50228-0429-10 | ScieGen | 1000 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 51407-0765-90 | Golden | 90 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Northera 100 mg 67386-0820-19 | Lundbeck | 90 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 67877-0704-05 | Ascend | 500 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 69452-0256-19 | Bionpharma | 90 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 70771-1609-09 | Zydus | 90 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 72205-0072-05 | Novadoz | 500 capsules | — | AB | FDA listed | — |
| Droxidopa 100 mg 68180-0987-02 | Lupin | 500 capsules | — | — | FDA listed | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
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🗺️ Medicaid utilization & spend
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70710-1389-09 You're viewing this | 90 CAPSULE in 1 BOTTLE (70710-1389-9) | 2021-02-19 | Active |
📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🚨 Boxed Warning ▾
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION M o nitor supine blood pressure prior to and during treatment and more frequently when increasing doses. Elevating the head of the bed lessens the risk of supine hypertension, and blood pressure should be measured in this position. If supine hypertension cannot be managed by elevation of the head of the bed, reduce or discontinue droxidopa [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Monitor supine blood pressure prior to and during treatment and more frequently when increasing doses. Elevating the head of the bed lessens the risk of supine hypertension, and blood pressure should be measured in this position.
If supine hypertension cannot be managed by elevation of the head of the bed, reduce or discontinue droxidopa [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] .
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Droxidopa capsules are indicated for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, or the "feeling that you are about to black out" in adult patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) caused by primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease [PD], multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment has not been established. The continued effectiveness of droxidopa capsules should be assessed periodically.
Droxidopa capsules are indicated for the treatment of orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, or the "feeling that you are about to black out" in adult patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) caused by primary autonomic failure (Parkinson's disease [PD], multiple system atrophy, and pure autonomic failure), dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, and non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy. Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment has not been established. The continued effectiveness of droxidopa capsules should be assessed periodically ( 1 ).
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Starting dose is 100 mg three times during the day ( 2.1 ) Titrate by 100 mg three times daily, up to a maximum dose of 600 mg three times daily ( 2.1 ) Take consistently with or without food ( 2.1 ) To reduce the potential for supine hypertension, elevate the head of the bed and give the last dose at least 3 hours prior to bedtime ( 2.1 ) Take droxidopa capsule whole ( 2.1 )
2.1Dosing Information The recommended starting dose of droxidopa is 100 mg, taken orally three times daily: upon arising in the morning, at midday, and in the late afternoon at least 3 hours prior to bedtime (to reduce the potential for supine hypertension during sleep). Administer droxidopa consistently, either with food or without food. Take droxidopa capsule whole.
Titrate to symptomatic response, in increments of 100 mg three times daily every 24 hours to 48 hours up to a maximum dose of 600 mg three times daily (i.e., a maximum total daily dose of 1,800 mg). Monitor supine blood pressure prior to initiating droxidopa and after increasing the dose. Patients who miss a dose of droxidopa should take their next scheduled dose.
💊 Dosage Forms and Strengths ▾
3 DOSAGE FORMS AND STRENGTHS Droxidopa capsules are available in 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg strengths as specified below. Droxidopa capsules, 100 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '3' having an opaque blue cap and opaque white body printed with "1389" in black ink. Droxidopa capsules, 200 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '2' having an opaque yellow cap and opaque white body printed with "1390" in black ink.
Droxidopa capsules, 300 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '1' having an opaque green cap and opaque white body printed with "1391" in black ink. 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg capsules ( 3 )
⛔ Contraindications ▾
4 CONTRAINDICATIONS Droxidopa is contraindicated in patients who have a history of hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients [ s ee Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )]. History of hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients ( 4 )
⚠️ Warnings and Cautions ▾
5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Droxidopa may cause supine hypertension and may increase cardiovascular risk if supine hypertension is not well-managed ( 5.1 ) Hyperpyrexia and confusion ( 5.2 ) May exacerbate symptoms in patients with existing ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure ( 5.3 ) Allergic reactions ( 5.4 )
5.1Supine Hypertension Droxidopa therapy may cause or exacerbate supine hypertension in patients with nOH. Patients should be advised to elevate the head of the bed when resting or sleeping. Monitor blood pressure, both in the supine position and in the recommended head-elevated sleeping position.
Reduce or discontinue droxidopa if supine hypertension persists. If supine hypertension is not well-managed, droxidopa may increase the risk of cardiovascular events particularly stroke.
5.2Hyperpyrexia and Confusion Postmarketing cases of a symptom complex resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) have been reported with droxidopa use during postmarketing surveillance. Observe patients carefully when the dosage of droxidopa is changed or when concomitant levodopa is reduced abruptly or discontinued, especially if the patient is receiving neuroleptics. NMS is an uncommon but life-threatening syndrome characterized by fever or hyperthermia, muscle rigidity, involuntary movements, altered consciousness, and mental status changes.
The early diagnosis of this condition is important for the appropriate management of these patients.
5.3Ischemic Heart Disease, Arrhythmias, and Congestive Heart Failure Droxidopa may exacerbate existing ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Careful consideration should be given to this potential risk prior to initiating therapy in patients with these conditions.
5.4Allergic Reactions Hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, urticaria and rash have been reported in postmarketing experience. Some of these reactions resulted in emergency treatment. If a hypersensitivity reaction occurs, discontinue the drug and initiate appropriate therapy.
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
6 ADVERSE REACTIONS The following adverse reactions with droxidopa are included in more detail in the Warnings and Precautions section of the label: Supine Hypertension [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] Hyperpyrexia and Confusion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] May exacerbate existing ischemic heart disease, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] The most common adverse reactions (> 5% and ≥ 3% compared to placebo) are headache, dizziness, nausea, and hypertension ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Zydus Pharmaceuticals (USA) Inc. at 1-877-993-8779 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch
6.1Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice. The safety evaluation of droxidopa is based on two placebo-controlled studies 1 weeks to 2 weeks in duration (Studies 301 and 302), one 8 week placebo-controlled study (Study 306), and two long-term, open-label extension studies (Studies 303 and 304).
In the placebo-controlled studies, a total of 485 patients with Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, pure autonomic failure, dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, or non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy were randomized and treated, 245 with droxidopa and 240 with placebo [see Clinical Studies ( 14 )] . P l a ce bo- Controlled Experience The most commonly observed adverse reactions (those occurring at an incidence of greater than 5% in the droxidopa group and with at least a 3% greater incidence in the droxidopa group than in the placebo group) in droxidopa -treated patients during the three placebo-controlled trials were headache, dizziness, nausea, and hypertension.
The most common adverse reactions leading to discontinuation from droxidopa were hypertension or increased blood pressure and nausea. Table 1 Most Common Adverse Reactions Occurring More Frequently in the Droxidopa Group Note: n=number of patients. Adverse reactions that were reported in greater than 5% of patients in the droxidopa group and with at least a 3% greater incidence in the droxidopa group than in the placebo group were from Study 306.
Study 301 and Study 302 ( 1 Weeks to 2 Weeks Randomized Treatment) Study 306 ( 8 Weeks to 10 Weeks Randomized Treatment) Placebo ( N=132) n (%) Droxidopa ( N=131) n (%) Placebo (N=108) n (%) Droxidopa (N=114) n (%) Headache 4 (3) 8 (6.1) 8 (7.4) 15 (13.2) Dizziness 2 (1.5) 5 (3.8) 5 (4.6) 11 (9.6) Nausea 2 (1.5) 2 (1.5) 5 (4.6) 10 (8.8) Hypertension 0 2 (1.5) 1 (0.9) 8 (7) Long-Term, Open-Label Trials with Droxidopa In the long-term, open-label extension studies, a total of 422 patients, mean age 65 years, were treated with droxidopa for a mean total exposure of approximately one year.
The commonly reported adverse events were falls (24%), urinary tract infections (15%), headache (13%), syncope (13%), and dizziness (10%).
6.2Postmarketing Experience The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of droxidopa. 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. C a r d iac Disorders: Chest pain E ye Disorders: Blurred vision Gastrointestinal Disorders: Pancreatitis, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea General Disorders and Administration Site Conditions: Fatigue N ervous System Disorders: Cerebrovascular accident P s ychiatric Disorders: Psychosis, hallucination, delirium, agitation, memory disorder
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Use of DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors may require dose adjustments for droxidopa ( 7.2 )
7.1Drugs that Increase Blood Pressure Administering droxidopa in combination with other agents that increase blood pressure (e.g., norepinephrine, ephedrine, midodrine, and triptans) would be expected to increase the risk for supine hypertension.
7.2Parkinson’s Medications Dopa-decarboxylase inhibitors may require dose adjustments for droxidopa.
7.3Non-selective MAO Inhibitors The concomitant use of selective MAO-B inhibitors, such as rasagiline or selegiline, was permitted in the droxidopa clinical trials. However, based on mechanism of action, the use of non-selective MAO inhibitors and linezolid should be avoided as there is a potential for increased blood pressure when taken with droxidopa.
👥 Use in Specific Populations ▾
8 USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS Lactation: Breastfeeding not recommended ( 8.2 ) Patients with Renal Impairment: Dosing recommendations cannot be provided for patients with GFR less than 30 mL/min ( 8.6 )
8.1Pregnancy R isk Summary There are no available data on use of droxidopa in pregnant women and risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. Droxidopa did not produce significant reproductive toxicity in pregnant female rats or rabbits or in their fetuses. However, when pregnant female rats were dosed during days 7 to 17 of gestation (the period of fetal organogenesis) with doses of droxidopa corresponding to 0.3, 1 and 3 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient, based on body surface area, and when their male and female offspring (who were exposed only during fetal life) were subsequently bred, the female offspring exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the number of live fetuses across all three doses and an increased number of embryonic/fetal deaths at the two higher doses ( see Data ).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data An imal Data During a multigenerational reproductive toxicity study in rats, pregnant females were dosed during days 7 to 17 of gestation (the period of fetal organogenesis) with doses of droxidopa corresponding to 0.3, 1 and 3 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient.
Reduced weight gain, renal lesions, and a small number of deaths were observed in females treated with the two higher doses. When their male and female offspring (who were exposed to droxidopa only during fetal life) were subsequently bred, the female offspring exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the number of live fetuses across all three doses and an increased number of embryonic/fetal deaths at the two higher doses.
8.2Lactation R isk Summary There is no information regarding the presence of droxidopa or its active metabolite(s) in human milk, the effects of droxidopa on the breastfed child, nor the effects of droxidopa on milk production/excretion. Droxidopa is present in rat milk with peak concentrations seen 4 hours after oral drug administration and drug excretion into milk still occurring 48 hours after administration ( see Data ). However, due to species-specific differences in lactation physiology, animal lactation data typically do not reliably predict levels in humans.
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions, including reduced weight gain in breastfed infants, advise a woman not to breastfeed during treatment with droxidopa. Data An imal Data In rats, oral administration of droxidopa resulted in excretion into breast milk with peak concentrations seen 4 hours after administration, and excretion still occurring 48 hours after administration. When the drug was administered to nursing dams during the period of lactation at a dose corresponding to 3 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient when based on body surface area, reduced weight gain and reduced survival were observed in the offspring.
Despite the observed decreased weight gain, physical development was normal (with respect to timing and organ morphology).
8.4Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of droxidopa in pediatric patients have not been established.
8.5Geriatric Use A total of 197 patients with symptomatic nOH aged 75 years or above were included in the droxidopa clinical program. 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.
8.6 Renal Impairme…
🤰 Pregnancy ▾
8.1Pregnancy R isk Summary There are no available data on use of droxidopa in pregnant women and risk of major birth defects or miscarriage. Droxidopa did not produce significant reproductive toxicity in pregnant female rats or rabbits or in their fetuses. However, when pregnant female rats were dosed during days 7 to 17 of gestation (the period of fetal organogenesis) with doses of droxidopa corresponding to 0.3, 1 and 3 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient, based on body surface area, and when their male and female offspring (who were exposed only during fetal life) were subsequently bred, the female offspring exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the number of live fetuses across all three doses and an increased number of embryonic/fetal deaths at the two higher doses ( see Data ).
The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the indicated population is unknown. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively. Data An imal Data During a multigenerational reproductive toxicity study in rats, pregnant females were dosed during days 7 to 17 of gestation (the period of fetal organogenesis) with doses of droxidopa corresponding to 0.3, 1 and 3 times the maximum recommended daily dose of 1,800 mg in a 60 kg patient.
Reduced weight gain, renal lesions, and a small number of deaths were observed in females treated with the two higher doses. When their male and female offspring (who were exposed to droxidopa only during fetal life) were subsequently bred, the female offspring exhibited a dose-dependent reduction in the number of live fetuses across all three doses and an increased number of embryonic/fetal deaths at the two higher doses.
🧒 Pediatric Use ▾
8.4Pediatric Use The safety and effectiveness of droxidopa in pediatric patients have not been established.
🧓 Geriatric Use ▾
8.5Geriatric Use A total of 197 patients with symptomatic nOH aged 75 years or above were included in the droxidopa clinical program. 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.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
10 OVERDOSAGE
10.1Symptoms There have been cases of overdose reported during postmarketing surveillance. A patient ingested 7,700 mg of droxidopa and experienced a hypertensive crisis that resolved promptly with treatment. Another patient treated with a total daily dose of 2,700 mg of droxidopa experienced hypertension and an intracranial hemorrhage.
10.2Treatment There is no known antidote for droxidopa overdosage. In case of an overdose that may result in an excessively high blood pressure, discontinue droxidopa and treat with appropriate symptomatic and supportive therapy. Counsel patients to remain in a standing or seated position until their blood pressure drops below an acceptable limit.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
12 CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
12.1Mechanism of Action The exact mechanism of action of droxidopa in the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension is unknown. Droxidopa is a synthetic amino acid analog that is directly metabolized to norepinephrine by dopa-decarboxylase, which is extensively distributed throughout the body. Droxidopa is believed to exert its pharmacological effects through norepinephrine and not through the parent molecule or other metabolites.
Norepinephrine increases blood pressure by inducing peripheral arterial and venous vasoconstriction. Droxidopa in humans induces small and transient rises in plasma norepinephrine.
12.2Pharmacodynamics Peak droxidopa plasma concentrations are associated with increases in systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Droxidopa has no clinically significant effect on standing or supine heart rates in patients with autonomic failure. C a r d iac Electrophysiology No prolongation of the QTc interval was observed with droxidopa at single oral doses up to 2,000 mg, as shown in a dedicated thorough QT study.
12.3Pharmacokinetics A b s o r p tion Peak plasma concentrations (C max ) of droxidopa were reached by 1 hours to 4 hours post-dose (mean of approximately 2 hours) in healthy volunteers. High-fat meals have a moderate impact on droxidopa exposure with C max and area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) decreasing by 35% and 20%, respectively. The C max was delayed by approximately 2 hours with a high-fat meal.
D i s t r ib u t i o n Pre-clinical studies suggest that droxidopa can cross the blood-brain barrier. Droxidopa exhibits plasma protein binding of 75% at 100 ng/mL and 26% at 10,000 ng/mL. The estimated apparent volume of distribution of droxidopa is about 200 L in humans.
E limination The total clearance of droxidopa after oral administration (CL/F) was approximately 400 mL/hr following administration of a single 300 mg dose. Me t ab o li s m The metabolism of droxidopa is mediated by catecholamine pathway and not through the cytochrome P450 system. Droxidopa is initially converted to methoxylated dihydroxyphenylserine (3-OM-DOPS), a major metabolite, by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), to norepinephrine by DOPA decarboxylase (DDC), or to protocatechualdehyde by DOPS aldolase.
After oral dosing in humans, plasma norepinephrine levels peak within 3 hours to 4 hours but are generally very low (less than 1 ng/mL) and variable with no consistent relationship with dose. The contribution of the metabolites of droxidopa other than norepinephrine to its pharmacological effects is not well understood. Excretion The mean elimination half-life of droxidopa is approximately 2.5 hours in humans.
The major route of elimination of droxidopa and its metabolites is via the kidneys in both animals and in humans. Studies in animals with radiolabeled drug showed that ~75% of the administered radioactivity was excreted in urine within 24 hours of oral dosing. Sp ecific Populations There are no clinically relevant effects of age, body mass index, or sex on the pharmacokinetics of droxidopa.
A population pharmacokinetic analysis suggests that hepatic function, assessed by aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin, did not influence the exposure to droxidopa. The controlled clinical trials included patients with mild to moderate renal impairment. No dose adjustments are required in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment.
Drug Interaction Studies No dedicated drug-drug interaction studies were performed for droxidopa. Patients in the Phase 3 trials with droxidopa received concomitant levodopa/carbidopa, dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, COMT inhibitors and other medications used to treat Parkinson's disease. Carbidopa, a peripheral dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor, could prevent the conversion of droxidopa to norepinephrine outside of the central nervous system (CNS).
Patients taking droxidopa with L-DOPA/…
🧬 Mechanism of Action ▾
12.1Mechanism of Action The exact mechanism of action of droxidopa in the treatment of neurogenic orthostatic hypotension is unknown. Droxidopa is a synthetic amino acid analog that is directly metabolized to norepinephrine by dopa-decarboxylase, which is extensively distributed throughout the body. Droxidopa is believed to exert its pharmacological effects through norepinephrine and not through the parent molecule or other metabolites.
Norepinephrine increases blood pressure by inducing peripheral arterial and venous vasoconstriction. Droxidopa in humans induces small and transient rises in plasma norepinephrine.
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
16 HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
16.1How Supplied Droxidopa capsules, 100 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '3' having an opaque blue cap and opaque white body printed with "1389" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1389-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure Droxidopa capsules, 200 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '2' having an opaque yellow cap and opaque white body printed with "1390" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1390-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure Droxidopa capsules, 300 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '1' having an opaque green cap and opaque white body printed with "1391" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1391-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure
16.2Storage and Handling Droxidopa capsules should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] .
16.1How Supplied Droxidopa capsules, 100 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '3' having an opaque blue cap and opaque white body printed with "1389" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1389-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure Droxidopa capsules, 200 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '2' having an opaque yellow cap and opaque white body printed with "1390" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1390-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure Droxidopa capsules, 300 mg are off white to light brown color powder filled in empty hard gelatin capsule shells of size '1' having an opaque green cap and opaque white body printed with "1391" in black ink and are supplied as follows: NDC 70710-1391-9 in bottle of 90 capsules with child-resistant closure
📦 Storage and Handling ▾
16.2Storage and Handling Droxidopa capsules should be stored at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature] .
📋 Description ▾
11 DESCRIPTION Droxidopa capsules contain droxidopa, which is a synthetic amino acid precursor of norepinephrine, for oral administration. Chemically, droxidopa is (–)-threo-3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-L-serine. It has the following structural formula: Droxidopa is white to light brown color powder.
It is soluble in 1 N hydrochloric acid, slightly soluble in water and practically insoluble in ethanol (99.5 %). It has a molecular weight of 213.19 and a molecular formula of C 9 H 11 NO 5 . Droxidopa Capsules, 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg intended for oral administration contain 100 mg, 200 mg and 300 mg droxidopa and contains the following inactive ingredients: corn starch (botanical source: maize), mannitol, magnesium stearate and sodium lauryl sulphate.
Each hard gelatin capsule shell contains gelatin, titanium dioxide and water. Additionally, each 100 mg capsule shell contains: FD&C blue #1 and FD&C Red#40; each 200 mg capsule shell contains: iron oxide black, iron oxide red and iron oxide yellow; and each 300 mg capsule shell contains FD&C blue #1 and iron oxide yellow. The capsule is imprinted with black pharmaceutical ink and contains following inactive ingredients:, black iron oxide, potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol, purified water and shellac.
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💬 Information for Patients ▾
17 PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION E levations in Blood Pressure Counsel patients that droxidopa causes elevations in blood pressure and increases the risk of supine hypertension, which could lead to strokes, heart attacks, and death. Instruct patients to rest and sleep in an upper-body elevated position and monitor blood pressure. Instruct patients how to manage observed blood pressure elevations.
To reduce the risk of supine hypertension, in addition to raising the upper body, the late afternoon dose of droxidopa should be taken at least three hours before bedtime [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . C on comitant Treatments Counsel patients about the concomitant use of drugs to treat other conditions that may have an additive effect with droxidopa [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )]. A llergic Reactions Counsel patients to discontinue droxidopa and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction such as anaphylaxis, angioedema, bronchospasm, urticaria or rash occur [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )].
Lactation Advise women not to breastfeed during treatment with droxidopa [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.2 )]. Food Patients should take droxidopa the same way each time, either with food or without food [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )] . Missed Dose If a dose is missed, patients should take the next dose at the regularly scheduled time and should not double the dose.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.