4 steps to receiving your NORTHERA® (droxidopa) prescription
If your doctor has prescribed NORTHERA for your symptomatic nOH, here’s what you can expect next:
Step 1: Initiating your prescription
Your NORTHERA prescription will be filled by a specialty pharmacy.
A specialty pharmacy is not like a regular drugstore where you pick your prescription up. Instead, the specialty pharmacy ships your medicine directly to your home.
The NORTHERA Support Center (NSC)
Aside from a specialty pharmacy, your doctor also has the option to send your prescription to the NSC. When this is the case, your first phone call will be from an NSC support representative who will walk you through the prescription process outlined below. For more information on the NSC, please see the NORTHERA Support Center section of this page.
Step 2: Determining insurance coverage
The specialty pharmacy will work with your insurance company to determine coverage for your NORTHERA prescription. This process could take a few days, during which you may receive a phone call from your specialty pharmacy to confirm some details.
It’s important to always answer or return calls from the specialty pharmacy because they can’t move forward and fill your prescription without talking to you. Keep in mind that these calls may appear as “Blocked” or “Unavailable” on your caller ID. They will leave a voicemail asking you to return their call, but may not provide much detail beyond a callback number due to privacy laws.
Step 3: Receiving your NORTHERA medicine
When your coverage and payment details have been confirmed, the specialty pharmacy will call you to coordinate the shipment of your NORTHERA. They must confirm payment and your shipping address each time they fulfill your prescription. If you have any questions about your medicine, ask to speak directly to the pharmacist at your specialty pharmacy or contact your doctor.
If you have commercial insurance, you may qualify for the NORTHERA Commercial Copay Assistance Program. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
If you have commercial insurance, you may qualify for the NORTHERA Commercial Copay Assistance Program. Click here to find out if you’re eligible.
Step 4: NORTHERA prescription refills
If your doctor prescribes refills, your prescription should be automatically refilled every 30 days. If you’re a week away from needing a refill and have not yet heard from the specialty pharmacy, you should contact them to make sure everything is on track for your refill.
Remember, if you are eligible for the NORTHERA Commercial Copay Assistance Program, be sure to mention this to the specialty pharmacy each time you schedule your next shipment. Give them your Commercial Copay Assistance Program information (BIN, Group, PCN, and ID numbers), located on your confirmation.
Support along the way
The NSC stands by you every step of the way by helping you understand your insurance coverage, providing support throughout the prescription process, and helping to answer any questions you may have. In the event your doctor sends your prescription to the NSC instead of directly to the specialty pharmacy, the NSC can assist you with the following:
Insurance coverage
- The NSC will contact your insurance carrier to confirm your coverage for NORTHERA, then provide that coverage information to both you and your doctor.
- If you are eligible, the NSC can enroll you in the NORTHERA Commercial Copay Assistance Program and provide information about any other financial assistance that may be available. Click here for more information.
The StarterRx Program
The StarterRx Program provides a one-time, 30-day supply of NORTHERA to new, eligible, and commercially insured patients aged 17 years and older who have a valid NORTHERA prescription and an on-label diagnosis.
- Eligible commercially insured patients who have been prescribed NORTHERA by their doctor may qualify for the NORTHERA Commercial Copay Assistance Program or the StarterRx Program.
- To learn more about the StarterRx Program, contact the NSC toll-free at 1-844-601-0101, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–6 PM EST.
- Complete Terms and Conditions for the StarterRx Program can be found here.
Ongoing support
- The NSC will work with the specialty pharmacy to coordinate delivery of NORTHERA to your home.
- NSC representatives are also available to answer questions about any part of your treatment journey.
- Other informational support may be available for eligible patients. To view the terms and conditions for receiving this support, click here.
- To reach the NSC, call 1-844-601-0101 Monday-Friday, 8 AM-6 PM EST.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning for supine hypertension.
For more information, see the full Prescribing Information.
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.
Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning for supine hypertension.
For more information, see the full Prescribing Information.
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.
©2022 Lundbeck. All rights reserved. NORTHERA is a registered trademark of Lundbeck NA Ltd.
DRX-B-100258v5
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.