Prokarin

Prokarin (formerly known as Procarin) is a drug for multiple sclerosis. It combines a histamine with caffeine. It is an alternative medicine, not accepted by the mainstream medical community.

General

The original Prokarin™ formula was a compounded transdermal gel. The gel was measured out of topical syringes and applied to a plastic patch & applied to the skin twice a day. With the use of a patch, the active ingredients in Prokarin™ are applied to the patient’s skin and then absorbed into the bloodstream. Prokarin™ incorporates two key natural chemical derivatives, both of which have been FDA approved for many years. The Prokarin™ therapy, discovered and presented to the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) community by Elaine DeLack RN, is based on a study of scientific literature spanning nearly a decade. It was when she applied for a ‘use patent’ on Prokarin™ that she discovered the older related work of Dr. Jonez. Dr. Jonez based his work on Dr. Horton’s at the world famous Mayo Clinic in the 1930′s and 1940′s. Prokarin™ must be compounded by an EDMS licensed pharmacy, trained in its’ proper formulation.

History

Elaine DeLack, a nurse, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1988. She began researching multiple sclerosis in 1993 and experimented with a transdermal histamine-caffeine compound. She claims to have experienced instant relief and withdrawal of symptoms. However, Prokarin has never been clinically tested on a wide scale.

DeLack originally named the compound "Procarin". Pfizer, Inc. challenged the trademark stating that "Procarin" could be confused with their medication, Procardia. So the spelling was changed to "Prokarin".

In 2005, DeLack wrote and self-published the book, They Said It Didn't Make "Cents"-MS-The Prokarin Story, describing her struggle of trying to bring Prokarin into mainstream medicine.

Action

Our nerve cells communicate with the transmission of certain chemicals, and our bodies also use these chemicals in times of stress. Inadequate production of one of these neurotransmitters results in difficulty sending messages between the nerves, heat intolerance, myelin self-degeneration, fatigue, depression, a poor sense of well-being, digestive problems, immune suppression, and the inability to tolerate stress. MS sufferers commonly experience symptoms involving all of these functions of the body, which are dependent on the availability of this chemical neurotransmitter.

It is theorized that by replenishing this chemical neurotransmitter, the symptoms that many MS sufferers experience will be reduced or alleviated. In a published double-blind study as well as two published clinical studies, MS patients receiving Prokarin™ demonstrated improvement in fatigue, hand dexterity, walking, balance, bladder function, cognition, and heat sensitivity.

Developments

Since its’ introduction, Prokarin™ has undergone several improvements. One of the most recent developments in the evolution of Prokarin has been the introduction of the one-a-day disc. The disc has several advantages over the old gel formulas. It does not require refrigeration, although it can be refrigerated for longer shelf life and ease of application. It is applied once a day and does not require awkward manipulation of syringes and measuring. It can also be removed and re-applied after showering or swimming. Prokarin™ is dispensed to the patient in a pack of 28 discs.

Controversy over effectiveness

In 1998 DeLack founded the company EDMS, LLC to commercialize Prokarin. In 1999, EDMS pursued a feasibility study on 10 patients. The results of this study showed that 8 of the 10 patients saw improvements in their symptoms of MS while using the Prokarin.

In 2000, EDMS funded a double-blind study on 29 patients showing significant improvement in the group of patients receiving the Prokarin as compared to the placebo group. The primary outcome measure for the study was fatigue. The study was published in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal 2002, Vol. 8, Issue 1, pp. 30-35.

The National MS Society (NMSS) published a response on 2002-01-30 disputing the conclusion of the EDMS study. The NMMS report questioned the design of the study, including the small sample size, the different numbers of people in the treatment and placebo groups, the potential confounding effects of caffeine, and others.

Side effects

There are potential side effects to using Prokarin, which have not been clinically studied. Half of people using Prokarin report a rash at the site of the patch.

External links

• MS at Quackery Watch: http://www.healthwatcher.net/Quackerywatch/MS/
• "The Prokarin Controversy", 2002-06, Laurie Long, MSA of King County
• EDMS LLC