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| |  Maxalt Approved In Canada For Migraine MONTREAL, QUE -- September 13, 1999 -- Maxalt™ (rizatriptan), a significant advance in the acute treatment of migraine, is now available in Canada. Maxalt provides fast relief of migraines and associated symptoms, such as nausea, in as early as 30 minutes, and in 90 minutes some patients are pain free. Maxalt is available as a pill and also as a convenient wafer. In a clinical study of more than 1,800 patients treating more than 40,000 attacks in a one-year period, Maxalt 10 mg offered consistent relief of migraine headache and nausea. "Migraine patients now have a new, fast-acting addition to effective treatment in the fight against migraine headache pain and associated nausea, as was demonstrated in patients that participated in clinical trials," explained Dr. Ashfaq Shuaib, Director, Division of Neurology and Professor, Department of Medicine for the University of Alberta. "Having a treatment like Maxalt, that provides relief of both migraine headache and improves associated nausea in as early as 30 minutes is a real benefit to patients." Researchers at Merck’s Neuroscience Research Centre in the United Kingdom discovered Maxalt, a highly selective 5HT(1B/1D) agonist. Pre-clinical studies have shown that Maxalt constricts swollen blood vessels around the brain and prevents the release of neuropeptides or chemicals that cause further inflammation around those vessels, and blocks pain signals from sensory nerves to the brain. Maxalt comes in two formulations, a tablet and a wafer. The Maxalt wafer is the first and only migraine medication that dissolves on the tongue within seconds. The wafer is a new form of taking migraine medication developed to respond to patients’ needs. The Maxalt wafer can be taken without liquids. This convenient formulation is practical for migraine patients who experience associated nausea with their attacks and have difficulty swallowing tablets or liquids. In a recent clinical trial, 75 per cent of patients indicated a preference for the wafer over a tablet. The wafer is about the size of a dime and tastes like peppermint. In Canada, 19 per cent of migraine sufferers require an absence from work during an attack. As a result, 5.4 million workdays are lost each year due to migraine. Maxalt™ has been clinically proven to allow patients to return to daily activities in as early as two hours after taking the treatment. Migraine is a debilitating condition, often characterized by unpredictable attacks of moderate-to-severe, usually unilateral, pulsating headaches lasting from 2 to 72 hours. In addition, most patients suffer moderate to severe nausea which can lead to vomiting. In fact, 70 per cent of migraine sufferers experience vomiting. Thirty two to forty two per cent of migraine sufferers reported that nausea and vomiting interfered with their ability to take their oral medication. It is estimated that migraine, the most common neurological disorder, affects 23 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men in Canada. More than three million Canadians, close to 17 per cent have been diagnosed with migraine. There is wide variation in the severity and frequency of attacks between patients and within an individual over time. Migraine patients can also be affected by sensitivity to light (photophobia), noise (phonophobia) and smell (osmophobia). It is therefore important to find a medication that can take effect in as early as 30 minutes in order to relieve the pain and associated symptoms, especially nausea. There are two types of migraines. About 15 per cent of migraine sufferers experience migraines "with aura". Auras are neurological symptoms that are typically visual. Sufferers may see flashing lights or zigzag patterns or may have other neurological complaints. These symptoms may occur over a variable period of time before an attack. The majority of migraine sufferers do not experience an aura prior to their migraine episodes. This type of migraine is referred to as "without aura." Maxalt is indicated for treatment of migraines with or without aura. Clinical studies have shown that Maxalt is generally well tolerated, the most common side effects - dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue - are typically transient and mild in intensity. Maxalt has been evaluated in worldwide studies with more than 3,500 patients and has been approved in many countries, such as the United States, United Kingdom, Netherlands and Mexico.
Related Links: Merck Frosst Canada & Co..
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