STW5 (Iberogast®) for constipation in Parkinson's disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Neurology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Chronic constipation is a prevalent non-motor symptom in Parkinson's disease (PD), significantly impacting patient quality of life.
• Investigating novel therapeutic approaches for constipation in PD is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of STW5, a phytotherapeutic agent, for treating constipation in Parkinson's disease patients.
• To determine if STW5 can improve stool frequency and consistency in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• An open-label, monocentric pilot study was conducted with 44 Parkinson's disease patients experiencing constipation.
• Patients received STW5 (20 drops three times daily) for 28 days after a 7-day titration and a 2-week baseline period.
• Efficacy was defined as a marked improvement in stool frequency (≥3 additional stools/week).

Main Results:

• Only 9.0% of patients (4 out of 44) achieved the primary efficacy endpoint of increased stool frequency.
• A statistically significant decrease in stool consistency was observed post-treatment (P=0.0272).
• STW5 demonstrated a favorable safety profile in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• STW5 was not found to be effective for treating constipation in patients with Parkinson's disease.
• The phytotherapeutic agent showed a good safety profile, suggesting it is well-tolerated.
• Further investigation into alternative or combination therapies for Parkinson's disease-related constipation is warranted.