Good news for Americans with Parkinson’s disease (PD): Pharmaceutical company UCB has announced that Neupro, an extended-release dopamine agonist in the form of a skin patch, is now available on U.S. pharmacy shelves.

Developed by pharmaceutical company UCB and initially approved by the FDA in 2007, Neupro patches were withdrawn from the U.S. market in April 2008 when a manufacturing problem made it impossible for UCB to guarantee proper dosing. This past April, UCB announced that Neupro had been re-approved by the FDA, apparently putting these concerns to rest. The patch had already been re-approved in the European Union.

Here’s how the patch works: Dopamine agonists mimic how dopamine operates in the brain, supplementing function that has been lost as dopamine-producing neurons die during the course of PD. Neupro, and other extended-release dopamine agonists, maintain as constant a level of the drug as possible throughout the course of the day. Clinical studies have shown that taking Neupro reduces patient “off-time,” (when the effects of the medication they’re taking wear off).

Another potential benefit to taking Neupro surrounds getting enough sleep. The patch is also approved to treat Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), an uncontrollable urge to move one's legs when at rest. Many with PD experience RLS.

The rigidity that is a symptom of PD can also make it tough to sleep. Unable to toss and turn, many spend countless waking hours during the night. A more consistent treatment for PD could help to alleviate this stress.