Ferring Pharmaceuticals launches Nocdurna in US for nocturia treatment
Nocdurna US launch : Ferring Pharmaceuticals has launched Nocdurna (desmopressin acetate) in the US for the treatment of nocturia caused by nocturnal polyuria (NP) in adults who wake up at least two times per night to urinate.
Nocdurna – Ferring nocturia drug launched across US
The new Ferring nocturia drug will be available by prescription in pharmacies across the country about five months following its approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The nocturia drug is claimed to give adults a quick-acting, effective treatment that targets the kidneys, which are the underlying cause of nocturnal polyuria.
Nocdurna, which is a sublingual tablet formulation and sex-specific dosing, has been proven to cut down night-time urination by almost half in adults 18 years and older.
Commenting on the launch of Nocdurna for nocturia treatment, Jeffrey P. Weiss – Professor and Chairman of Urology, State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center, said: “The effects of nocturia are often discounted; however, many people don’t realize the impact that two or more nocturia episodes a night can have by disrupting sleep and causing people to wake up frequently.
“The availability of Nocdurna provides US healthcare providers with an effective treatment option to address the underlying cause of nocturnal polyuria and help their patients reduce the number of times they get up each night to urinate.”
According to Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Nocdurna sublingual tablets quickly dissolve with specific dosing designed for men and women. The nocturia drug delivers a low and effective dose of desmopressin.
While women are prescribed 27.7 mcg of Nocdurna daily for their nocturia treatment, the dose for men is 55.3 mcg daily. The drug has to be taken under the tongue without water an hour before bedtime.
Paul Navarre – CEO, Ferring Pharmaceuticals (US), commenting on launch of Nocdurna for nocturia treatment in the US, said: “At Ferring, we are expanding our portfolio with novel treatments for diseases that impose significant burdens on patients.
“We are delighted to make Nocdurna available to US healthcare providers and their patients today.”
Ferring Pharmaceuticals warns that the side effect of its nocturia drug is hyponatremia, which is why patients need to consult their doctors before beginning the nocturnal polyuria treatment. Severe hyponatremia could be life-threatening, resulting in seizures, coma, respiratory arrest, or death.
In May 2018, Avadel Pharmaceuticals, under a license agreement with Serenity Pharmaceuticals, launched Noctiva (desmopressin acetate), an emulsified microdose nasal spray for the treatment of nocturia caused by nocturnal polyuria. Serenity Pharmaceuticals had secured Noctiva FDA approval in March 2017.
