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Canadian Team Helps Research New Drug for Crohn’s Disease Sufferers Toronto, April 2, 1997 -- People suffering from Crohn's disease have a new treatment option that induces remission while significantly decreasing the steroid-related side effects caused by existing Crohn's drugs. Health Canada has approved Entocort(x)(R) (budesonide) capsules, a corticosteroid, for use for the treatment of mild to moderate Crohn's disease affecting the small intestine and colon. "This medication will make a significant difference in the lives of Crohn's patients, many of whom suffer from acute pain and severe side effects from existing medications,'' said Dr. Alan Thomson, Professor of Medicine, University of Alberta. A key study conducted for Entocort was based in Canada. The 27-centre trial investigated Entocort's benefits. The results of the research, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, established the international dosing regimen for Entocort and proved its value in reducing side effects. "Crohn's sufferers usually battle both their disease and the side effects of corticosteroids,'' said Dr. Thomson. "Side effects include the visible symptoms -- a ballooning of the face called moon face, buffalo hump, easy bruising, acne, swelling of the ankles, and increased body hair. This is caused when the liver can't process the steroids and the adrenal gland becomes suppressed. Entocort is unique because it significantly reduces these side effects in sufferers.'' Entocort has also been shown to induce remission in 52 percent of Crohn's disease sufferers significantly improving quality of life for patients whose activities had been restricted by pain and other Crohn's symptoms. "Imagine a hot knife in your stomach. That's what Crohn's disease feels like,'' said Elsie Roman, who has suffered from Crohn's for 13 years. "You want the pain to stop so that you can feel like a normal person again.'' Like many people with Crohn's disease, Elsie began developing symptoms in her 20s. Older corticosteroids caused her to have side effects ranging from severe acne to making her so hyperactive she couldn't sleep at night. The disease usually attacks people in their late teens and early 20s, although cases are also high among people aged 50 to 80. It is increasingly being identified in children. "One cannot overlook the quality of life benefits that go hand in hand with budesonide,'' said Dr. Thomson. "For the first time many patients will be able to lead a normal life -- travel, go shopping, go to a ball game -- without worrying about doubling over in pain or the location of the nearest bathroom.'' Entocort, available in 3 mg capsules, is taken in 9 mg doses daily for eight week periods for active Crohn's. The recommended daily dosing for maintenance of remission is 6 mg, once daily. Astra Pharma Inc. is Canada's fastest growing research-based pharmaceutical company. Founded in 1954 and based in Mississauga, Ontario, the Canadian subsidiary is owned by Astra AB of Sweden, an international pharmaceutical company which has made several advances in gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular disease treatments and pain control. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version