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Lamisil Spray Available In Canada To Treat Fungal Skin Conditions
TORONTO, ON -- June 1, 1999 -- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.’s Lamisil(TM) Spray (terbinafine hydrochloride 1 % topical spray solution), is now available in Canada for the topical treatment of fungal skin conditions, including ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot (known as tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis, respectively) and pityriasis versicolor.
Often left untreated, these skin conditions are distressing and unpleasant for people who are affected by them. Pityriasis versicolor is caused when a yeast-like fungi (Pityrosporum species), normally present in the sebaceous glands, multiply and invade the skin. As a result, Caucasians develop light-brown patches on their trunk and upper arms. In people with darker skin, the patches appear as light areas. The tineas are less disfiguring, but not less distressing. Tinea corporis and cruris can be intently irritating, while tinea pedis can cause onychomycosis (fungal nail infections), which can in turn lead to pain, problems with footwear and disfigurement of the nail.
"Lamisil Spray is highly effective, requires short treatment courses and is convenient to apply to large body areas," said local expert Dr. Neil Shear, professor of dermatology and clinical pharmacology at the University of Toronto, and Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Science Centre.
Currently, several topical antifungal agents are available, but Lamisil Spray is the only fungicidal spray.
"Patients find creams, lotions and shampoos to be cumbersome, inconvenient and difficult to comply with, leading to a relapse of the condition," he added.
The non-aerosol pump can be sprayed at any angle (even upside down) and can cover difficult to reach areas like the back. The solution is non-greasy, non-staining and quick drying, so the patient can get dressed immediately after application.
Lamisil Spray is applied twice daily for pityriasis versicolor and once daily for ringworm, jock itch and athlete's foot. Medical experts stress that patients should finish the full treatment regimen of one week, even though symptoms may improve before the seven-day treatment period ends. Clinical trials found most patients reported relief of signs and symptoms within the one-week treatment period with continued improvement during two to seven weeks after the treatment concluded.
Studies show new topical formulation highly effective. Numerous studies now confirm Lamisil Spray's effectiveness, comparing the new Lamisil Spray to placebo in tinea pedis (athlete's foot), tinea corporis/crurism (ringworm/jock itch) and p. versicolor. Treatment duration with Lamisil is one-quarter (for tinea pedis) to one-half (for tinea corporis/cruris) the treatment time needed for conventional antifungal agents.
More specifically, in a study of patients with tinea pedis, one week's treatment produced negative mycology in 86 percent of Lamisil patients, compared to 19 percent in the placebo group. Furthermore, 71 percent of the Lamisil group showed negative mycology and either no or minimal symptoms compared to 13 percent in the placebo arm. Finally, Lamisil was no more likely than placebo to cause side-effects. In conclusion, it was found that Lamisil Spray is highly effective and well-tolerated in the treatment of tinea pedis.
The new topical formulation is also effective in pityriasis versicolor. A review of two studies involving 254 patients compared Lamisil Spray with placebo. Patients applied Lamisil Spray for one week. After a further seven weeks, 81 percent of patients showed negative microscopy. Symptom severity gradually lessened over the course of the study and by the end of follow-up, 77 percent showed negative microscopy and either no or minimal residual clinical signs and symptoms. Although pityriasis versicolor tends to recur, only 0.5 percent of the patients relapsed during the seven-week follow-up.
In placebo-controlled trials, 39 of the 898 patients (4.3 percent) who received Lamisil Spray experienced adverse reactions. Redness, itching or stinging occasionally occur at the site of application; however, treatment rarely has to be discontinued for this reason.
Lamisil Spray, which is supplied in 30 ml non-aerosol pump spray bottles, is available by prescription only.
Related Links: Lamisil, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.
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