Some studies have found it to be very effective in reducing the duration, severity, and frequency of hemiplegic attacks. It is generally considered the best treatment available, but this drug is thought by some to be of little benefit to AHC patients. Many patients suffer adverse effects without seeing any improvement. Flunarizine also causes problems because it is difficult for patients to obtain, as it is not readily available in the United States. Sodium oxybate
In 2009 through 2011 clinical research at the University of Utah investigated whether sodium oxybate, also known as Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid is an effective treatment for AHC. Thus far, only a small number of patients have been sampled, and no conclusive results are yet available. While some success has been had thus far with the drug, AHC patients have been known to respond well initially to other drugs, but then the effectiveness will decline over time. Currently, sodium oxybate is used as a narcolepsy-cataplexy treatment, though in the past it has been used controversially in nutritional supplements. This drug was chosen to test because of a possible link between the causes of narcolepsy-cataplexy and AHC. References
External links
Alternating Hemiplegia Information Page at NINDS
Homepage of the Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood Foundation (AHCF).
Pacritinib, sold under the brand name Vonjo, is an anti-cancer medication used to treat myelofibrosis. It is a macrocyclic protein kinase inhibitor. It mainly inhibits Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3\CD135 (FLT3). Common side effects include diarrhea, low platelet counts, nausea, anemia, and swelling in legs. Medical uses
Pacritinib in indicated to treat adults who have a rare form of a bone marrow disorder known as intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary myelofibrosis and who have platelet (blood clotting cells) levels below 50,000/µL. History
The effectiveness and safety of pacritinib were demonstrated in a study that included 63 participants with intermediate or high-risk primary or secondary myelofibrosis and low platelets who received pacritinib 200 mg twice daily or standard treatment. Effectiveness was determined based upon the proportion of participants who had a 35% or greater spleen volume reduction from baseline to week 24. Nine participants (29%) in the pacritinib treatment group had a 35% or greater spleen volume reduction, compared to one participant (3%) in the standard treatment group.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the application for pacritinib priority review, fast track, and orphan drug designations. Society and culture
Names
Pacritinib is the International nonproprietary name (INN). References
External links
"Pacritinib". Drug Information Portal. U.S. National Library of Medicine.