TOPICAL ATOPIC DERMATITIS TREATMENT,
ELIDEL® NOW AVAILABLE
FOR
CHILDREN THREE MONTHS AND OVER
LAVAL, QC, Oct. 17, 2019 /CNW/ - Bausch Health Companies
Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) today announced that Health Canada has
approved the extension of the indication of ELIDEL® (pimecrolimus
cream1%), its prescription treatment for mild to moderate atopic
dermatitis, commonly known as eczema, to include patients three
months of age and older instead of two years as was previously
indicated. Additionally, under the Warnings and Precautions
section, the long-term use and safety limitations of
ELIDEL® have been removed.i The changes are
based on Health Canada's review of data.
Part of a class of drugs called topical calcineurin inhibitors,
ELIDEL® cream is a steroid-free topical medicine that
treats inflammation of the skin. It works on specific cells in the
skin that cause inflammation and lead to the characteristic
redness, scaling and itching of eczema. ELIDEL®
non-steroid cream can be applied to all areas of the skin that have
been diagnosed by a physician as having atopic dermatitis,
including sensitive parts like the face and eyelids.
"Bausch Health, Canada is
committed to supporting patients, families and healthcare
professionals with products that improve people's lives. The major
changes to the safety information that Health Canada has authorized
for ELIDEL® are welcome news for the Canadian eczema
community," said Richard Lajoie,
President and General Manager, Bausch Health Canada. "Not only will
physicians be able to include ELIDEL® as a treatment
option for their younger pediatric patients, they will be able to
prescribe it with even more confidence for all users."
"Topical calcineurin inhibitors are an important therapeutic
class for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in both children and
adults. They provide physicians with an effective option in
reducing the inflammation and managing the rash-itch cycle that
makes living with eczema so difficult for sufferers and their care
providers." said Dr. Simone Fahim,
MD FRCPC, Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine,
Division of Dermatology, University of
Ottawa. "With the updated safety information for ELIDEL®,
physicians, pharmacists, patients and their families have an
additional treatment option available to them. This update and
reassurance regarding the safety of the treatment is terribly
important when it comes to counselling our patients on how to
manage this condition."
"Managing a child with eczema can be overwhelming, worrisome,
and frustrating," said Amanda
Cresswell-Melville, Executive Director of the Eczema Society
of Canada. "Parents often struggle
to cope with their child's condition, and we are always looking for
ways to help simplify treatment regimens. Health Canada's approval of ELIDEL® for younger
children and updated safety information will help to provide more
choice for families when treating this challenging disease."
ELIDEL® Side Effects
The most
common side effects of ELIDEL® are a
burning feeling or a sensation of warmth at the site of
application. These side effects are usually mild to moderate and
usually clear up in the first few days of using
ELIDEL®. Other common side effects include
headache, and with long term intermittent use, nose and throat
infection and flu like symptoms such as fever, viral infection, and
cough. For complete information on ELIDEL®, including
safety data and patient information, please refer to the updated
product monograph at https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00053301.PDF.
About Eczema
It is estimated that up to 17% of
Canadians suffer from atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema at some
point in their lives.ii AD usually starts in infants and
young children and is characterized by itchy, inflamed skin,
usually behind the knees, the inside of the elbows, and on the
face, neck and hands. The condition affects both children and
adults and quite often members of the same family. One of the most
common symptoms is itching which can be almost unbearable. Other
symptoms include dryness of the skin, redness and inflammation. AD
patients can have periods of remission; however, some patients
never experience complete remission from these life altering
symptoms and all forms of the disease can have significant quality
of life impact on patients, caregivers, and their loved ones.
About Bausch Health Companies Inc.
Bausch Health
Companies Inc. (NYSE/TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is
to improve people's lives with our health care products. We
develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical
device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic
areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are
delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company
dedicated to advancing global health.
In Canada, the company's
prescription product portfolio is focused on eye health,
dermatology and cardio-metabolic conditions. More information can
be found at the Company's website at
https://www.bauschhealth.ca.
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i
https://pdf.hres.ca/dpd_pm/00053301.PDF
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iiEczema
Society of Canada
https://eczemahelp.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/ESC_Insights-Report_Nov-2017-1.pdf
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Elidel is a
registered trademark of Meda Pharma S.A.R.L. used under license by
Valeant
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SOURCE Bausch Health