Jaguar Health announces results of survey of neurologists, patients, caregivers

Napo Pharmaceuticals announced that the results of a Napo-sponsored survey of 15 US neurologists who treat patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the results of a corresponding Napo-sponsored survey of 15 US individuals who are either ALS patients or caregivers of an ALS patient, indicate that the burden of diarrhea associated with a commonly used treatment for this rare progressive neurodegenerative disease may be higher than previously understood. Napo focuses on essential supportive care and management of neglected toxicities in multiple complicated disease states. Highlights of the survey of neurologists: 87% reported the severity of diarrhea associated with the ALS drug as moderate to severe. Over half reported stopping a patient’s use of the ALS drug due to diarrhea. 13% reported that ALS patients in their care had been hospitalized or required other medical interventions due to diarrhea while taking the ALS drug. 79% reported the impact of diarrhea on the quality of life of patients on the ALS drug as moderate to severe. 40% reported that patients in their care had skipped doses of the ALS drug due to diarrhea. Highlights of the survey of ALS patients & caregivers: 93% of participants rated the severity of the diarrhea as moderate or higher. 27% rated it severe. Similarly, 93% rated the impact on quality of life as moderate or greater. 40% rated the impact severe. Almost half reported stopping the ALS drug due to diarrhea. 40% reported requiring hospitalization or some other medical intervention due to diarrhea. 67% of participants said diarrhea was experienced throughout the time on the ALS drug, with 20% reporting that symptoms increased over time. Slightly less than half took any medications to manage their diarrhea.