To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: Miacalcin (Synthetic Calcitonin-Salmon) Nasal Spray Significantly Reduces Risk Of New Fractures In Post-Menopausal Women URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1E1EB6.htm Doctor's Guide September 20, 2000
MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- September 20, 2000 -- A landmark study published in the September edition of the American Journal of Medicine has found that Miacalcin® Nasal Spray significantly reduces the risk of new fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. In September 1999, Health Canada approved Miacalcin NS 200 IU (international units), as the first nasal spray treatment for osteoporotic women who are at least five years into their menopause. The PROOF (Prevent Recurrence of Osteoporotic Fractures) study, which involved more than 1,200 women over five years, shows that Miacalcin NS (synthetic calcitonin-salmon) 200 IU (international units) reduced the incidence of new spinal fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis by 36 percent among women who had previously had one to five vertebral fractures. Participants were taking either Miacalcin NS (100 IU, 200 IU or 400 IU per day) or placebo. All patients received a daily supplement of calcium (1 g) and Vitamin D (400 IU). "These results are encouraging for women who suffer from osteoporosis and support the use of a valuable and well-tolerated treatment for patients," said Dr. Charles Chesnut III, professor of radiology and medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle (USA). "We already know that Miacalcin NS is a safe treatment for osteoporosis and this new data provides good clinical evidence of the role of 200 IU daily in preventing spinal fractures," he added. Additional results showed a 45 percent reduction in multiple spinal fractures. During the five year period, there was a sustained increase in lumbar spine mineral density and sustained suppression of bone turnover. Although it was not specifically aimed at examining hip fractures, the PROOF study also found a trend towards a reduction in hip fractures by 48 percent in women receiving Miacalcin NS 200 IU compared with those receiving placebo. Results from PROOF found Miacalcin NS was well-tolerated and the overall incidence of side-effects was comparable to placebo. Overall, less than 5 percent of patients discontinued because of nasal events. Because it is taken nasally - one spray, once a day anytime during the day , with or without food - Miacalcin NS spares osteoporosis patients from the potentially serious side-effects seen with some oral medications. Miacalcin NS also has no food and no observed drug interactions. According to the Osteoporosis Society of Canada, osteoporosis affects about one million Canadian women. Its treatment costs the Canadian economy Cdn$40 per second and an osteoporosis-related fracture strikes a Canadian every nine minutes. Spinal fractures are the most common complication of osteoporosis and typical signs of spinal damage include loss of height and a curved or 'humped' back. Among the leading causes of osteoporosis is a great abyss in awareness about the disease. For example, a 1998 survey of 514 adult American women conducted by Opinion Research International found that only 28 percent knew that women over age 50 were more likely to get osteoporosis than breast cancer, heart disease or Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, nearly one-half of all women (46 percent) said they know little or nothing about osteoporosis, while 39 percent of women over age 45 never discuss osteoporosis with their doctor - even though they are at increased risk for the disease. "The message concerning osteoporosis is very clear," Dr. Chesnut said. "Women need to know more about the disease and discuss prevention and treatment possibilities with their physicians. In addition, the message has to be delivered that the addition of versatile drugs like Miacalcin NS offers women effective and safe osteoporosis treatment options.'' Related Link: Miacalcin NS (synthetic calcitonin-salmon). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright © 1999 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of P\S\L content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of P\S\L. P\S\L shall not be liable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters or other publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet* located at http://www.docguide.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to News Story Page This site is maintained by webmaster@pslgroup.com Please contact us with any comments, problems or bugs. All contents Copyright (c) 1998 P\S\L Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved.