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Biotech / Medical : TITAN PHARMACEUTICAL (TTP) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: scaram(o)uche who wrote (113)	2/5/2000 1:41:00 PM
From: Miljenko Zuanic	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 362

Just parking. Saturday February 5, 12:01 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release SOURCE: AstraZeneca Europe's Specialists Urge Wider Use of New Treatments In 'First Episode' Schizophrenia DAVOS, Switzerland, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- This press release is transmitted on behalf of AstraZeneca (NYSE: AZN - news): Leading psychiatrists from across Europe gathered in Davos, Switzerland for the First Episode Schizophrenia Network meeting, today called for wider use of new, better tolerated treatments for the estimated 170,000 young people diagnosed with schizophrenia across Europe each year(a, b). Antipsychotic therapy has long been recognised as the cornerstone of treatment for schizophrenia, but older standard agents are commonly linked to a syndrome of involuntary muscle movement side effects, called extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). EPS side effects include tremors of the hands, writhing movements of the face and body, uncontrollable restlessness, and other distressing, effects similar to those seen in patients with Parkinsons disease. EPS occur in more than 60% of patients treated with haloperidol, a commonly prescribed conventional antipsychotic(c). ``These side effects can have an enormous impact on our patients,' commented Professor Shon Lewis, founder and chairman of the European First Episode Schizophrenia Network. ``People experiencing their first episode of schizophrenia and coping with the devastating effects of the illness can find the EPS side effects of treatment a terrible burden to bear. These very visible movement disorders are distressing to patients and their families, and inevitably draw attention to the patient at a time when they are at their most vulnerable. Experiencing EPS, or indeed other side effects typically associated with conventional antipsychotics such as prolactin elevation leading to sexual dysfunctioning, can put patients off taking the treatment, putting them at risk of relapse. This is why we -- as a network of European psychiatrists -- are today calling for a wider use of the new, antipsychotic treatments now available, which are often better tolerated by patients.' The new treatments Professor Lewis alludes to are commonly known as atypical antipsychotics. Since their introduction, it has become possible to control the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia with a much lower risk of EPS occurrence. One particular agent, Seroquel(TM) (quetiapine fumarate) has been shown to cause an incidence of EPS and prolactin level elevation no different to placebo even at the highest recommended doses(d). Young people who experience a first acute episode of schizophrenia are particularly sensitive to EPS and sexual dysfunction. The stigma and distress associated with these side effects often lead to extreme low self-esteem and problems within their family. This can result in non-compliance with antipsychotic therapy, leading to a relapse of their illness. ``If a patient's first experience of antipsychotic treatment is negative, they may well decide to stop treatment,' continued Professor Lewis. ``One then runs the danger of it quickly developing into a long-term pattern of persistent non-compliance, making it extremely difficult to successfully treat their illness. In a chronic condition like schizophrenia, which often requires life-long treatment, it is particularly important that a well-tolerated therapy is prescribed from day one, so that this potentially dangerous cycle of non- compliance is never begun.' Notes: (a) Frangou, S.; Murray, RM; "Schizophrenia." Martin Dunitz Ltd, London, 1996. (b) United Nationals Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations 1998 Revision of the World Population Estimates and Projections. (c) Aguilar EJ, Matcheri SK, Martinez-Quiles MD, Herandez J, Gomez-Beeyto M, Schooler NR; 'Predictors of acute dystonia in first-episode psychotic patients.' American Journal of Psychiatry, 1994; 151:1819-1821. (d) Meats, P; 'Quetiapine (Seroquel); an effective and well-tolerated atypical antipsychotic'. International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice; 1997, Volume 1; Pages 231-239. SOURCE: AstraZeneca --------------------------------------------------------------------------------