- Itchy
allergy eyes affect an estimated 40% of
Americans1
-
LASTACAFT is a once-daily eye drop that works within minutes
against seasonal and year-round allergens to relieve itchy
eyes
-
Previously available only by prescription, LASTACAFT is now
available over the counter nationwide
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill.,
March 15, 2022 /PRNewswire/
-- Allergan, an AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) company, today announced
that LASTACAFT® (alcaftadine ophthalmic solution 0.25%)
is now available without a prescription for the estimated 40% of
Americans1 who live with ocular allergies. As
demonstrated in clinical studies, one drop of LASTACAFT works in as
little as three minutes to provide relief from itchy, allergy eyes
lasting through 16 hours.2 Following the recent U.S.
Food and Drug Administration approval of a complete prescription to
over-the-counter (OTC) switch, the original patented
prescription-strength formulation of LASTACAFT is now available
online and in retail stores where OTC eye drops are sold.
"Seasonal and year-round allergies affect millions of Americans,
from young children to adults, and we are pleased that LASTACAFT is
now available without a prescription as a safe and effective option
to relieve itchy eyes caused by allergies within minutes," said Jag
Dosanjh, president, U.S. neuroscience and eye care at AbbVie. "The
LASTACAFT over-the-counter switch exemplifies our commitment to
providing quality eye care products and expands our retail eye drop
portfolio, which also includes the leading REFRESH family of
products for relieving dry, irritated eyes."
Outdoor allergens, such as pollen from grass, trees, and weeds,
and indoor allergens including pet dander, can trigger itchy eyes.
LASTACAFT is an antihistamine eye drop that temporarily relieves
itchy eyes due to pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair, and dander
for ages two and older.
"Common eye allergy triggers are everywhere and can be
year-round as well as seasonal with the eyes being an easy target
because they are exposed and sensitive," said optometrist
Rachael Wruble, Fellow of the
American Academy of Optometry and Immediate Past President of
the North Carolina Optometric Society. "While many allergy
sufferers use oral medications to manage their nasal allergy
symptoms, LASTACAFT is instilled directly in the eye to block the
histamines that initiate ocular itching to quickly calm the
allergic response and provide relief throughout the day from itchy
eyes. I'm excited that these prescription-strength drops are now
accessible without a prescription for those who struggle with
itchy, allergy eyes."
LASTACAFT is available in a 5 mL multidose bottle containing a
60-day supply, as well as a twin pack with two 5 mL multidose
bottles for a 120-day supply. Visit lastacaft.com to
learn more.
About Allergan Eye Care
As a leader in eye care,
Allergan has discovered, developed, and delivered some of the most
innovative products in the industry for more than 70 years.
Allergan has launched over 125 eye care products and invested
billions of dollars in treatments for the most prevalent eye
conditions including glaucoma, ocular surface disease, and retinal
diseases such as diabetic macular edema and retinal vein
occlusion.
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and
deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today
and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a
remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic
areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology,
women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and
services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more
information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow
@abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and
LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some statements in this
news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements
for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and
similar expressions, among others, generally identify
forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize
the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc
("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate
Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges
to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and
development process, adverse litigation or government action,
changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the
impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as
COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive,
governmental, technological and other factors that may affect
AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of
AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its
subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no
obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking
statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except
as required by law.
References:
- Baab S, Le PH, Kinzer EE. Allergic Conjunctivitis. [Updated
2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing;
2022 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448118/
- Torkildsen, G., & Shedden, A. (2011). The safety and
efficacy of alcaftadine 0.25% ophthalmic solution for the
prevention of itching associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
Current Medical Research and Opinion, 27(3), 623–631.
https://doi.org/10.1185/03007995.2010.548797
LASTACAFT and REFRESH trademarks are the property of AbbVie.
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SOURCE AbbVie