Impact of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA)

Actor portrayal of patient with PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA) crying symptoms

PBA’s impact on patients is substantial1

Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) presents a considerable, incremental burden to a patient with an underlying neurologic condition or injury, such as:2

  • Stroke
  • Dementia or Alzheimer's disease
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)

 
Although PBA is diagnosed secondary to another neurologic condition, it is a separate, treatable disorder that is not to be taken lightly. Uncontrolled laughing and/or crying episodes have a substantial impact — resulting in embarrassment for the patient and their family. Because of fear of having a PBA episode in public, patients may restrict their social interactions.2 Your patients may not say something to you about their PBA symptoms for many reasons, but one question can help them open up to you about PBA’s impact on their life.
 

Why your patients aren’t talking about their PBA symptoms

Patients experiencing sudden, frequent, involuntary laughing and/or crying episodes may not talk to you about their symptoms for several reasons. According to the healthcare providers in the video below, these reasons may include:
 

1

They’re embarrassed by their outbursts.

PBA can strike anytime, anywhere. Because episodes are uncontrollable, patients may not be able to stop laughing and/or crying in inappropriate settings.

2

They may think it’s a symptom of a previously diagnosed condition.

For example, since crying is common in depression, patients may attribute their PBA crying symptoms to their depression. They may not bring up these symptoms because they don't realize that PBA is a separate condition.

3

They don’t realize that their symptoms are manageable.

If they don't know that treatment is available to reduce their episodes, they may not think to ask for help.

4

They don’t understand what’s happening to them.

Laughing and crying are normal displays of emotion, but in patients with PBA, they can be exaggerated or incongruent with their underlying mood. So, patients may not realize that what they're experiencing is part of a real, neurologic condition.

Just because a patient doesn’t say something to you doesn’t mean that PBA isn’t impacting them.

Concerned healthcare professional
Why Didn’t They Say Something?
Two healthcare providers share real patient stories, discussing why they believe their patients didn’t say something sooner about their uncontrollable laughing and/or crying.
Download a transcript of this video.

Ask the question, understand the impact

In 2011, PBA affected approximately 2 million U.S. patients with underlying neurologic conditions. In a multicenter registry (N=5,290), a Center for Neurologic Study-Lability Scale (CNS-LS) score of 13 or greater, which suggests the presence of PBA symptoms, was reported in 37% of patients with any 1 of 6 neurologic conditions. Your patients with complex neurologic conditions may have trouble speaking up about their PBA symptoms. You can make a difference by starting the conversation.3, 4

To find out if PBA is impacting your patient, simply ask them or their caregivers:

Can you tell me about any changes in your laughing or crying since your [underlying neurologic diagnosis or brain injury]?

Caregiver perspectives on the impact of PBA

Your patients' caregivers can also help you understand PBA's impact and provide important insights into your patients' experiences. Below, hear from real caregivers about PBA's impact on those in their care.
 

Ross and Karen
Ross and Karen’s PBA Story
Ross and his wife, Karen, who has multiple sclerosis and PBA, share their experiences.
Download a transcript of this video.
Julie
Julie’s Paid Caregiver Story
Julie, a certified director of nursing at a residential care facility, talks about the impact that PBA can have on residents in long-term care communities.
Download a transcript of this video.
Asking with care resource

Download the Asking With Care Resource

Learn what to listen for in their responses to the question.

Save a copy
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For more information about diagnosing PBA, visit our Diagnosing PBA page.

Co-Pay/Sample Requests
NUEDEXTA sample bottle for PseudoBulbar Affect (PBA) patients

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Eligible healthcare providers can request a free 10-day sample of NUEDEXTA for appropriate patients.

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CO-PAY SAVINGS CARD

Share this card to help your patients save on their NUEDEXTA prescription and refills. By enrolling, your commercially insured patients may pay as little as $0 for a 90-day supply, or $20 for a 30-day supply.

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Restrictions apply. Most commercially insured patients pay as little as $0 for a 90-day supply or $20 for a 30-day supply. Benefit cap applies regardless of co-pay amount.
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References: 1. Ahmed A, Simmons Z. Pseudobulbar affect: prevalence and management. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2013;9(1):483-489. 2. Colamonico J, Formella A, Bradley W. Pseudobulbar affect: burden of illness in the USA. Adv Ther. 2012;29(9):775-798.  3. Work SS, Colamonico JA, Bradley WG, Kaye RE. Pseudobulbar affect: an under-recognized and under-treated neurological disorder. Adv Ther. 2011;28(7):586-601.  4. Brooks BR, Crumpacker D, Fellus J, Kantor D, Kaye RE. PRISM: a novel research tool to assess the prevalence of pseudobulbar affect symptoms across neurological conditions. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(8):e72232.

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INDICATION AND USAGE

NUEDEXTA® (dextromethorphan HBr and quinidine sulfate) is indicated for the treatment of pseudobulbar affect (PBA). PBA occurs secondary to a variety of otherwise unrelated neurologic conditions, and is characterized by involuntary, sudden, and frequent episodes of laughing and/or crying. PBA episodes typically occur out of proportion or incongruent to the underlying emotional state. PBA is a specific condition, distinct from other types of emotional lability that may occur in patients with neurologic disease or injury.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Quinidine and Related Drugs: NUEDEXTA contains quinidine, and should not be used concomitantly with other drugs containing quinidine, quinine, or mefloquine.

Hypersensitivity: NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with a history of NUEDEXTA-, quinine-, mefloquine-, or quinidine-induced thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, bone-marrow depression, lupus-like syndrome, or known hypersensitivity to dextromethorphan (eg, rash, hives).

MAOIs: NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), or in patients who have taken MAOIs within the preceding 14 days, due to the risk of serious and possibly fatal drug interactions, including serotonin syndrome. Allow at least 14 days after stopping NUEDEXTA before starting an MAOI.

Cardiovascular: NUEDEXTA is contraindicated in patients with a prolonged QT interval, congenital long QT syndrome, history suggestive of torsades de pointes, heart failure, patients receiving drugs that both prolong QT interval and are metabolized by CYP2D6 (eg, thioridazine and pimozide), patients with complete atrioventricular (AV) block without implanted pacemaker, or at high risk of complete AV block.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

Thrombocytopenia and Other Hypersensitivity Reactions: Quinidine can cause immune-mediated thrombocytopenia that can be severe or fatal. Non-specific symptoms, such as lightheadedness, chills, fever, nausea, and vomiting, can precede or occur with thrombocytopenia. NUEDEXTA should be discontinued immediately if thrombocytopenia occurs.

Hepatotoxicity: Hepatitis, including granulomatous hepatitis, has been reported in patients receiving quinidine, generally during the first few weeks of therapy. Discontinue immediately if this occurs.

Cardiac Effects: NUEDEXTA causes dose-dependent QTc prolongation. QT prolongation can cause torsades de pointes–type ventricular tachycardia, with the risk increasing as the degree of prolongation increases. When initiating NUEDEXTA in patients at risk for QT prolongation and torsades de pointes, electrocardiographic (ECG) evaluation of QT interval should be conducted at baseline and 3 to 4 hours after the first dose. Some risk factors include use with CYP3A4 inhibitors or drugs that prolong QT interval, electrolyte abnormalities, bradycardia, or left ventricular hypertrophy or dysfunction. If patients taking NUEDEXTA experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias (eg, syncope or palpitations), NUEDEXTA should be discontinued, and the patient further evaluated.

Concomitant Use of CYP2D6 Substrates: NUEDEXTA inhibits CYP2D6 and may interact with other drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. Adjust dose of CYP2D6 substrates as needed.

Dizziness: NUEDEXTA may cause dizziness. Take precautions to reduce the risk of falls.

Serotonin Syndrome: Use of NUEDEXTA with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or tricyclic antidepressants increases the risk of “serotonin syndrome.”

Anticholinergic Effects of Quinidine: Monitor for worsening in myasthenia gravis.

ADVERSE REACTIONS

The most common adverse reactions (incidence of ≥3% and two-fold greater than placebo) in patients taking NUEDEXTA are diarrhea, dizziness, cough, vomiting, asthenia, peripheral edema, urinary tract infection, influenza, increased gamma-glutamyltransferase, and flatulence.

These are not all the risks for use of NUEDEXTA. Please see Full Prescribing Information.