Nuedexta™ is a combination of dextromethorphan, a component of some over-the-counter cough mixtures and the antiarrhythmic agent, quinidine, which acts as a metabolic inhibitor, allowing effective concentrations of dextromethorphan to be achieved.
Dextromethorphan acts on sigma-1 and NMDA receptors in the brain, although exactly how it exerts its therapeutic effects in patients with PBA is not known. Nuedexta™ has been shown to be safe and effective in patients with multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis but not in other groups of patients who may experience PBA, such as those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Nuedexta™ was developed by Avanir Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and is expected to be available by prescription in the US during the first quarter of 2011.