Tavapadon

New: On September 28, 2026, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tavapadon under the name Juvmo, for early Parkinson's on its own and as an add-on to levodopa for motor fluctuations (AJMC). It is not yet approved in Europe.

What is it?

Tavapadon, made by AbbVie, is a new type of dopamine agonist taken once a day as a tablet. Unlike the existing dopamine agonists, which act on the D2 and D3 receptors, it targets the D1 and D5 receptors. The goal: improve mobility with fewer of the typical side effects such as excessive movements (dyskinesia) and impulse control disorders (for example gambling or shopping addiction).

What does the research say?

The approval is based on the TEMPO study program:

• TEMPO-1 and TEMPO-2 (early Parkinson's): Tavapadon on its own clearly improved mobility and daily functioning compared to placebo.
• TEMPO-3 (advanced Parkinson's): As an add-on to levodopa, it extended the good phase without troublesome excessive movements and shortened the off time.
• TEMPO-4 (long-term study): After 14 to 20 months, around 90 percent of patients needed neither a higher levodopa dose nor additional levodopa. The researchers speak of a possible levodopa-sparing effect.

Common side effects are nausea, headache, dizziness, tiredness, a drop in blood pressure when standing up, and constipation. Impulse control disorders occurred less often than with the existing dopamine agonists.

My assessment

I don't take any Parkinson's medication and have not tried tavapadon. But for everyone who needs medication, it is an important new development: the first drug of its kind, taken once a day and possibly with fewer side effects. I am following here whether and when it comes to Europe.