Symptomatic nOH is caused by autonomic failure1
Classic symptoms of nOH include orthostatic dizziness, lightheadedness, or the “feeling that you are about to black out.”1,2
nOH is one of the various types of orthostatic hypotension (OH)3-5
Ruling out other causes of OH and orthostatic intolerance is an important step in identifying patients with nOH.2,3
Neurogenic3,4
Parkinson's disease (PD)
Multiple system atrophy (MSA)
Pure autonomic failure (PAF)
Non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy
Dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency
Iatrogenic3,4
Vasodilators
Diuretics
Antihypertensives
Other medications
Non-neurogenic3,4
Hypovolemia
Cardiac insufficiency
Impaired venous return
NORTHERA® (droxidopa) was specifically studied to reduce the classic symptoms of nOH1,2 *
*Based on short-term, placebo controlled clinical studies evaluating patient-reported nOH symptoms (e.g. dizziness/lightheadedness). Effectiveness beyond two weeks has not been established. See the USPI.
References:
1. NORTHERA [package insert]. Deerfield, IL: Lundbeck.
2. Freeman R. N Engl J Med. 2008;358(6):615-624.
3. Goldstein DS, Sharabi Y. Circulation. 2009;119(1):139-146.
4. Bradley JG, Davis KA. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(12):2393-2398.
5. Gibbons CH, Schmidt P, Biaggioni I, et al. J Neurol. 2017;264(8):1567-1582.
1. Hauser RA, Hewitt LA, Isaacson S. Droxidopa in patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension associated with Parkinson's disease (NOH306A). J Parkinsons Dis. 2014;4(1):57-65. doi: 10.3233/JPD-130259. PMID: 24326693.
2. Isaacson S, Shill HA, Vernino S, et al. Safety and Durability of Effect with Long-Term, Open-Label Droxidopa Treatment in Patients with Symptomatic Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension (NOH303). J Parkinsons Dis. 2016 Oct 19;6(4):751-759. doi: 10.3233/JPD-160860. PMID: 27636856.
3. Goldstein DS, Sharabi Y. Circulation. 2009;119(1):139-146.
4. Bradley JG, Davis KA. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(12):2393-2398.
5. Gibbons CH, Schmidt P, Biaggioni I, et al. J Neurol. 2017;264(8):1567-1582
6. Hauser RA, Isaacson S, Lisk JP, et al. Droxidopa for the short-term treatment of symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension in Parkinson's disease (nOH306B). Mov Disord. 2015 Apr 15;30(5):646-54. doi: 10.1002/mds.26086. Epub 2014 Dec 9. PMID: 25487613.
7. Biaggioni I, Freeman R, Mathias CJ, et al. Droxidopa 302 Investigators. Randomized withdrawal study of patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension responsive to droxidopa. Hypertension. 2015 Jan;65(1):101-7. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.04035. Epub 2014 Oct 27. PMID: 25350981; PMCID: PMC4354798.
8. Biaggioni I, Freeman R, Mathias CJ, et al. Droxidopa 302 Investigators. Randomized withdrawal study of patients with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension responsive to droxidopa. Hypertension. 2015 Jan;65(1)302 supp.
Medical Information Inquiries
If you have a question or would like access to medical and scientific information regarding NORTHERA or any Lundbeck product, go to www.Lundbeckmedinfo.com where you can submit a medical question to the Lundbeck Medical Information team.
Use
NORTHERA (droxidopa) is a prescription medication used to reduce dizziness, lightheadedness, or the “feeling that you are about to black out” in adults who experience a significant drop in blood pressure when changing positions or standing (called symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH)) and who have one of the following:
- Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease that causes slowness in muscle movement as well as shaking in the hands
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA), a Parkinson’s-like disorder with more widespread effects on the brain and body
- Pure autonomic failure (PAF), a neurodegenerative disease that results in frequent drops in blood pressure upon standing
- Dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, a condition where the body cannot make enough of the hormones that help regulate blood pressure
- Non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy, an inability to maintain blood pressure upon standing that can be caused by a number of rare diseases
Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment has not been established, and your doctor will decide if you should continue taking NORTHERA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION (this is high blood pressure while lying down)
When lying down, elevating the head and upper body lowers the risk of high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure in this position prior to starting and during NORTHERA treatment. If you experience high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about your NORTHERA treatment.
- Do not take NORTHERA if you have a known allergy to NORTHERA or its ingredients.
- NORTHERA may cause high blood pressure when lying down, which could lead to strokes, heart attacks, and death. To reduce this risk of supine hypertension, take your late afternoon dose of NORTHERA at least 3 hours before going to bed.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect reported with NORTHERA. Call your doctor right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these signs and symptoms: high fever, stiff muscles, movements that you cannot control, confusion or problems thinking, very fast or uneven heartbeats, or increased sweating. NORTHERA should be stopped immediately if NMS is diagnosed.
- If you have coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure, NORTHERA may worsen the symptoms of these disorders. Call your doctor if your symptoms become worse.
- NORTHERA may cause allergic reactions. Stop taking NORTHERA and contact your doctor right away, or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction such as: fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, swelling, trouble breathing, hives, or rash. NORTHERA contains tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), which may also cause an allergic reaction, especially if you have had a reaction to aspirin.
- The most common side effects with NORTHERA are headache, dizziness, nausea, and high blood pressure.
- Taking NORTHERA with other medications may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if you take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
- You should not breastfeed during treatment with NORTHERA.
- If you plan to become or are currently pregnant, talk to your doctor as it is not known if NORTHERA could harm your unborn baby.
- Take NORTHERA the same way each time, either with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of NORTHERA, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double the dose.
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning for supine hypertension.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.
The product information provided in this site is intended only for residents of the US. The health information contained herein is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace discussions with a healthcare provider.
©2026 Lundbeck. All rights reserved. NORTHERA is a registered trademark of Lundbeck NA Ltd.
DRX-B-100477
Use
NORTHERA (droxidopa) is a prescription medication used to reduce dizziness, lightheadedness, or the “feeling that you are about to black out” in adults who experience a significant drop in blood pressure when changing positions or standing (called symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH)) and who have one of the following:
- Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disease that causes slowness in muscle movement as well as shaking in the hands
- Multiple system atrophy (MSA), a Parkinson’s-like disorder with more widespread effects on the brain and body
- Pure autonomic failure (PAF), a neurodegenerative disease that results in frequent drops in blood pressure upon standing
- Dopamine beta-hydroxylase deficiency, a condition where the body cannot make enough of the hormones that help regulate blood pressure
- Non-diabetic autonomic neuropathy, an inability to maintain blood pressure upon standing that can be caused by a number of rare diseases
Effectiveness beyond 2 weeks of treatment has not been established, and your doctor will decide if you should continue taking NORTHERA.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
WARNING: SUPINE HYPERTENSION (this is high blood pressure while lying down)
When lying down, elevating the head and upper body lowers the risk of high blood pressure. Check your blood pressure in this position prior to starting and during NORTHERA treatment. If you experience high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about your NORTHERA treatment.
- Do not take NORTHERA if you have a known allergy to NORTHERA or its ingredients.
- NORTHERA may cause high blood pressure when lying down, which could lead to strokes, heart attacks, and death. To reduce this risk of supine hypertension, take your late afternoon dose of NORTHERA at least 3 hours before going to bed.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare but potentially life-threatening side effect reported with NORTHERA. Call your doctor right away and go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these signs and symptoms: high fever, stiff muscles, movements that you cannot control, confusion or problems thinking, very fast or uneven heartbeats, or increased sweating. NORTHERA should be stopped immediately if NMS is diagnosed.
- If you have coronary artery disease, irregular heartbeat, or heart failure, NORTHERA may worsen the symptoms of these disorders. Call your doctor if your symptoms become worse.
- NORTHERA may cause allergic reactions. Stop taking NORTHERA and contact your doctor right away, or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience any signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction such as: fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, swelling, trouble breathing, hives, or rash. NORTHERA contains tartrazine (FD&C Yellow No. 5), which may also cause an allergic reaction, especially if you have had a reaction to aspirin.
- The most common side effects with NORTHERA are headache, dizziness, nausea, and high blood pressure.
- Taking NORTHERA with other medications may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if you take prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.
- You should not breastfeed during treatment with NORTHERA.
- If you plan to become or are currently pregnant, talk to your doctor as it is not known if NORTHERA could harm your unborn baby.
- Take NORTHERA the same way each time, either with or without food.
- If you miss a dose of NORTHERA, take your next dose at the regularly scheduled time. Do not double the dose.
For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning for supine hypertension.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-10881-800-FDA-1088.