To print: Select File and then Print from your browser's menu --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title: NeuroBloc (Botulinum Toxin Type B) For Cervical Dystonia Launched In UK URL: http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/1F4216.htm Doctor's Guide March 6, 2001
LONDON, UK -- March 6, 2001 -- NeuroBloc (5000 U/ml Botulinum Toxin Type B) -- the first treatment for cervical dystonia to contain the type B form of botulinum toxin -- has been launched by Athena Neurosciences, a division of Elan Pharma Ltd. NeuroBloc offers patients with cervical dystonia effective, long lasting relief from painful muscle spasms in their neck and shoulders, whether or not they are resistant to the type A botulinum toxin widely used to treat this debilitating condition. In a recent survey of over 600 people with dystonia, carried out by the Dystonia Society, eight out of 10 respondents had used botulinum toxin as part of their treatment1. But one in three reported decreasing effectiveness or lack of benefit with repeated injections, and one in 12 had stopped treatment because of side effects. By blocking release of a neurotransmitter in affected muscles at a different site from botulinum toxin A, NeuroBloc provides Britain's estimated 18,000 cervical dystonia patients with a much needed alternative treatment. Professor Andrew Lees, Consultant Neurologist at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London explained that the new type B form of botulinum toxin provides a valuable new option for the treatment of cervical dystonia: 'Botulinum toxin has made a major difference to the way people with this debilitating disease live their lives, and the arrival of a long acting, easy to use type B toxin is an important advance for current and future patients,' he said. For prescribing physicians, NeuroBloc has the advantage of being formulated in a convenient, ready to use, stable solution which does not need to be reconstituted in saline like type A botulinum toxin. In placebo controlled clinical trials, NeuroBloc provided significant relief of pain and other symptoms of cervical dystonia, and was well tolerated, in patients responsive to and resistant to type A toxin2,3. Standard treatment with NeuroBloc was shown to be effective for up to 16 weeks2,3. NeuroBloc is available in three different colour-coded vials, allowing flexible dosing and minimal wastage: 10,000 units in 2.0ml (gold coloured vial) at a cost of £197.69 5,000 units in 1.0ml (purple coloured vial) at a cost of £148.27 2,500 units in 0.5ml (blue coloured vial) at a cost of £111.20 References: 1. Dystonia Society. Membership survey. January 2001 2. Brashear A et al. Neurology 1999; 53: 1439-1446 3. Brin MT et al. Neurology 1999; 53: 1431-1438. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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.