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Oryx Pharmaceuticals and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Introduce A New Treatment For Epilepsy
Trileptal* in tablets and suspension represent the first new product in the treatment of epilepsy in five years
Mississauga, Ontario (June 11, 2002) - Oryx Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada announced today that Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) in tablets and suspension is now available for sale in Canada. Trileptal is the only second generation antiepileptic drug (AED) indicated for the treatment of partial seizures in adults at three key stages of therapy: at the initiation of monotherapy, for the conversion from existing AED's to monotherapy in adults, and as adjunctive therapy in adults and children (six years of age and over). Novartis and Oryx have entered into an agreement whereby Oryx will be responsible for the marketing and promotion of Trileptal in Canada.
"Canadian neurologists will welcome the addition of Trileptal as a necessary new treatment option to control the debilitating symptoms of epilepsy and improve the quality of life for people with seizures," says Dr. Frederick Andermann, Professor of Neurology at McGill University and epileptologist at the Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute.
Epilepsy is a physical condition characterized by sudden, brief changes in how the brain works. It is a symptom of a neurological disorder - a disorder that affects the brain and shows itself in the form of seizures. Partial or local seizures, which begin in a localized area of the brain, account for approximately 50-70 per cent of seizure disorders, making them the most common kind of seizure.
"To control their seizures, many patients require treatment with more than one AED, which can cause side effects," said Dr. Beat Sümegi, Vice President, Medical Affairs, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada. "Treatment with a new potent medication like Trileptal can help patients achieve excellent control with good tolerability."
About 300,000 Canadians (approximately 1 per cent of the country's population) have epilepsy. They include people who require anticonvulsant drugs for seizure control. The cause of epilepsy in 75 per cent of children and 50 per cent of adults with the condition is unknown. In the remainder, the following causes are most often identified: brain tumour or stroke, head trauma, injury, infection or systemic illness of the mother, brain injury to infant during delivery and aftermath of infection.
Proven Efficacy
Ten controlled clinical trials have established that Trileptal is safe and efficacious in the treatment of partial seizures across a wide range of ages (children to adults), patient types (recent onset to treatment-resistant epilepsy), and place in therapy (monotherapy and adjunctive therapy).
Primary Contact Information:
Doug Reynolds
President
Oryx Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Tel. (866) 260-6291 (toll free) Ext. 6773
dougr@oryxpharma.ca
Jason Jacobs
Director, Communications
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc
Tel.: (514) 633-7872
References
Epilepsy Canada (www.epilepsy.ca)