First of its kind rosacea therapy now available in Canada
Two million Canadians suffer from this chronic inflammatory skin disease; March is Rosacea Awareness Month
THORNHILL, ON, Feb. 27, 2013 /CNW/ - Galderma Canada Inc. today announced Apprilon™, an innovative, anti-inflammatory rosacea treatment, is now available for prescription in Canada. Apprilon (Doxycycline Modified-Release Capsule, 40 mg) is the first and only oral, once-daily therapy designed specifically to treat the bumps and pimples associated with rosacea, and does not cause complications associated with long-term antibiotic use.1,2,3
Rosacea affects more than two million Canadians, most commonly individuals with fair skin and between the ages of 30 and 60.4 Symptoms typically include small red bumps that sometimes contain pus, red or pink patches, and visible tiny broken blood vessels. The most common sites for flare ups include the nose, chin and forehead. Because symptoms can be similar to those of acne, it is often misdiagnosed as adult acne.5
"Rosacea can be a painful and even embarrassing condition for sufferers to deal with. For the first time, Apprilon offers a convenient, once-daily oral treatment option that will make it easier for patients to follow their treatment regimen and ultimately get better results," says Dr. Benjamin Barankin, medical director at the Toronto Dermatology Centre. "Apprilon is a unique treatment because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It effectively treats the inflammatory lesions caused by rosacea without displaying antibiotic activity, which will allow me to treat patients for long periods of time without the complications or side effects associated with traditional antibiotic use."
Recent evidence suggests rosacea is primarily an inflammatory condition, not a bacterial infection. Apprilon is the only medication that reduces the inflammatory response in patients with rosacea without producing drug concentrations required to treat bacterial diseases.1 Each Apprilon capsule contains two types of beads that together provide a dose of 40 mg of doxycycline, an antibiotic in the tetracycline family. The immediate-release beads contain 30 mg of doxycycline and the delayed-release beads contain 10 mg of doxycycline.1 Clinical studies show the combination of immediate and delayed-release beads keeps Apprilon at a very low dose that will not produce antibiotic resistance over the long term.
Marketed as Oracea™ in the United States, the availability of Apprilon in Canada reinforces Galderma's commitment to providing novel skin care treatment options.
In two clinical trials, Apprilon demonstrated a significant reduction in total inflammatory lesions (i.e. papules, pustules, nodules) at 16 weeks, compared to placebo.1,2 Apprilon was also associated with a rapid onset of action, achieving a significantly greater decrease in total inflammatory lesion count than placebo by the first follow-up visit at week three in both studies.1,2
Apprilon is now available for prescription across Canada. Patients should speak with their family doctor or dermatologist to learn more about Apprilon and its suitability for their skincare needs.
About Galderma Canada Inc.
Galderma Canada Inc. is a pharmaceutical company specializing in research and marketing of therapeutic, corrective and aesthetic solutions for dermatology patients. Our expertise spans a broad spectrum of skin and hair diseases. Our growing portfolio includes treatments for skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, skin cancers, and seborrheic dermatitis.
Galderma Canada Inc. was established in 1989 as an affiliate of Galderma, a global pharmaceutical company. Today, with a staff of 42, half of which is located in Thornhill, Ontario, we service more than 3,500 physicians in Canada with a special focus on dermatology.
References
- Apprilon™ Product Monograph, Galderma Canada Inc., August 30, 2012
- Del Rosso JQ, Webster G, Jackson M, Rendon M, Rich P, Torok H, MD, Bradshaw M. Two randomized phase III clinical trials evaluating anti-inflammatory dose doxycycline (40-mg doxycycline, USP capsules) administered once daily for treatment of rosacea. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007;56(5):791-802
- American Acne & Rosacea Society. Rosacea Medical Management Guidelines. October 2007.
- Canadian Skin Patient Alliance. Overview: What is rosacea? www.skinpatientalliance.ca Last accessed January 24, 2013.
- Canadian Dermatology Association. Patient Education Brochure: Rosacea.
SOURCE: Galderma Canada Inc.
For additional information or interviews, please contact:
Yasna Criscione
Argyle Communications
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