Droxidopa / Pyridostigmine in Orthostatic Hypotension
United States30 participantsStarted 2011-11
Plain-language summary
This study is being done to study the combination of pyridostigmine and low-dose Droxidopa for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. The presence of OH (fall in systolic BP \>=30 mm Hg) is required for this study.
. Autonomic testing and clinical evaluation demonstrates OH to be of neurogenic etiology.
Exclusion criteria
. Pregnant or lactating females.
. Chronic illnesses or the presence of other conditions that potentially involve the CNS or affect autonomic testing. These include congestive heart failure, recent (\<6 months) myocardial infarct, severe anemia, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, malignant neoplasms, amyloidosis, hypothyroidism, sympathectomy, cerebrovascular accidents, and neurotoxins or neuroactive drug exposure.
. Orthopedic problems or cardiopulmonary disease, sufficient to compromise mobility and activity of daily living.
. Any known concurrent infection or severe liver or kidney disease.
. Medications that could affect autonomic function are suspended prior to autonomic testing. Therapy with midodrine, alpha and beta adrenergic antagonists, or other medications that affect autonomic function will be withdrawn 48 hours prior to autonomic evaluations. Fludrocortisone doses up to 0.2 mg per day will be permitted. Stable doses of antidepressants (tricyclics, SSRIs, SNRIs) will also be permitted. The 48h medication withdrawal is reviewed on a case by case basis - if felt unsafe by the investigators, the withdrawal period may be shortened. This will be documented in the study documents.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in orthostatic diastolic blood pressure
Timeframe: 1 hour after medication administration, 2 hours after medication administration
. Occasional use of a neuroleptic as an anti-emetic in the past is allowed, but none can have been used within 3 weeks prior to this study.
. Use of methylphenidate, cinnarizine, reserpine, amphetamine, atypical antipsychotics such as risperidone, olanzapine, and quetiapine or a MAO-A inhibitor within 3 weeks prior to this study.
. Dementia (DSM-IV criteria - Amer. Psych. Assoc., 1994). The score on the Mini-Mental State Examination must be \>24.