New prescription allergy treatment XYZAL(R) (levocetirizine dihydrochloride) now available for fall allergy season in the USA
Tuesday October 2, 2:07 am ET
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM--(MARKET WIRE)--Oct 2, 2007 --
Brussels, Belgium and Paris, France, October 2, 2007 - 8:00 am CET - UCB and sanofi-aventis announced today that XYZAL®, a new once-daily medication used to treat indoor and outdoor allergies, as well as chronic idiopathic urticaria, is now available by prescription in the USA. XYZAL® is an oral antihistamine that has been shown to provide powerful allergy symptom relief. XYZAL® is approved for use in adults and children 6 years and older.
"Allergy patients need a prescription treatment option that works quickly to relieve their suffering," said Michael S. Blaiss, MD, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee. "It is important for people living with allergies to work with their physician to develop an appropriate allergy treatment plan that will effectively reduce their symptoms."
According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), 60% of adult patients who were using a prescription medication to treat their seasonal allergies were very interested in finding a new prescription allergy treatment.
A recent survey conducted by Harris Interactive® of 683 seasonal and year-round allergy sufferers revealed that almost three-quarters (74%) of those diagnosed with allergies agreed that they do not feel like themselves when they are suffering from allergies. In addition, 81% of respondents agreed that they have adjusted their lives to deal with their allergies and more than half (53%) of allergy sufferers surveyed agreed that they avoid various activities like being outside, traveling and being social because of their allergies.
Studies in allergic rhinitis patients demonstrated XYZAL® significantly reduced the common symptoms of the disease, including sneezing, itchy nose, runny nose, and itchy eyes. XYZAL® has also been shown to significantly reduce the redness, swelling and itching symptoms associated with hives. In studies with patients exposed to pollen, XYZAL® was shown to relieve allergy symptoms at 60 minutes of administration and efficacy was demonstrated at the end of 24 hours. In clinical trials, XYZAL® was well tolerated.
XYZAL® was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2007. In September 2006, UCB and sanofi-aventis entered into an agreement to launch and co-market XYZAL® in the USA.
XYZAL® is currently marketed in more than 80 countries worldwide, including the European Union. The FDA approval is based primarily upon the results of eight randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving over 2,000 patients. |
