Questions & answers

NUPLAZID^® (pimavanserin)—is the only prescription medicine FDA-approved to reduce the frequency and/or severity of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) psychosis. Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about NUPLAZID.

WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF DEATH IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA-RELATED PSYCHOSIS

• Medicines like NUPLAZID can raise the risk of death in elderly people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).

• NUPLAZID is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis unrelated to the hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis.

NUPLAZID is proven to be effective in most people:

NUPLAZID REDUCED THE FREQUENCY AND/OR SEVERITY OF PARKINSON'S-RELATED HALLUCINATIONS AND DELUSIONS.

In the clinical trial, the majority of patients who took NUPLAZID experienced fewer and/or less severe hallucinations and delusions. And some patients did not experience any hallucinations or delusions after 6 weeks. Not everyone will respond to NUPLAZID.

To test the efficacy of NUPLAZID, an FDA-accepted tool was used. The tool measures changes in the frequency or severity of hallucinations and delusions in people with Parkinson’s.

Tell me more about the trial >

The clinical trial included 199 adults (at least 40 years of age with a mean age of 72 years) diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease psychosis that was severe enough for treatment. It was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Each person was assigned to 1 of 2 groups: those who received NUPLAZID 34 mg or those who received placebo. Results were reported after 6 weeks. 

NUPLAZID WORKS AROUND THE CLOCK TO HELP REDUCE PARKINSON’S DISEASE HALLUCINATIONS AND DELUSIONS.

NUPLAZID works all day and night to help reduce hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. You just take one 34 mg capsule, once daily by mouth, either with or without food, around the same time every day, or as prescribed by your healthcare provider. It’s important to remember that everyone responds to medications differently, so it may take some time for NUPLAZID to start working.

CONTINUING TO TAKE NUPLAZID AS PRESCRIBED MAY HELP YOU SEE RESULTS.

NUPLAZID may begin to reduce hallucinations and delusions as soon as 4 weeks, but it may take up to 6 weeks to feel the full effect. You should speak with your healthcare provider before you stop taking NUPLAZID.

HALLUCINATIONS

If you experience hallucinations:
NUPLAZID may help to reduce the frequency and/or the severity of hallucinations.

DELUSIONS

If you experience delusions: NUPLAZID may help reduce the frequency and/or severity of delusions.

You can take NUPLAZID without adjusting carbidopa/levodopa medicine. Some medicines should not be taken with NUPLAZID. Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you are taking.

NUPLAZID had no effect on motor symptoms during a clinical trial compared to placebo at 6 weeks.

The most common side effects of NUPLAZID include swelling in the legs or arms, and feeling confused. Other possible side effects are nausea, hallucination, constipation, and changes to normal walking.

These are not all the possible side effects of NUPLAZID. For more information, ask your healthcare provider about this medicine.

Click here for additional Important Safety Information

NUPLAZID is available only through specialty pharmacies.* Once your healthcare provider prescribes NUPLAZID, he or she will also likely enroll you in NUPLAZIDconnect™—a program that helps you start the process of working with a specialty pharmacy, and guides you along the way. Learn more about NUPLAZIDconnect.

* Specialty pharmacies operate much like the regular, retail pharmacies you’re used to, but they fill prescriptions for specialty medications, such as NUPLAZID. They also offer other services, such as delivery of the medication directly to your home.