Health Canada Approves The First and Only Topical Treatment Indicated for the Persistent Facial Erythema of Rosacea
THORNHILL, ON, May 21, 2014 /CNW/ - Galderma Canada Inc., today announced that ONRELTEA™ topical gel (Brimonidine gel 0.33%) has been approved by Health Canada and is now available for Canadian patients 18 and older to treat the facial erythema (redness) of rosacea. ONRELTEA is the first and only Health Canada-approved topical prescription specifically designed to treat the facial redness of rosacea.
"Despite the many rosacea treatment advancements, patients were still left without any options when it came to controlling the redness, which is a common characteristic of the inflammatory skin disorder that affects more than 2 million Canadians," says Dr. Jason Rivers, dermatologist in Vancouver and President of the Acne and Rosacea Society of Canada. "Redness is by far the most bothersome symptom for rosacea patients and ONRELTEA has been shown to reduce redness for up to 12 hours."
ONRELTEA is a topical gel that may work by constricting the dilated facial blood vessels to reduce the redness of rosacea. For many patients, ONRELTEA will start to relieve the facial redness within 30 minutes with maximum effect at about 3 hours.
The approval of ONRELTEA was based on data collected from more than 550 patients enrolled in two phase 3 clinical studies of one-month duration. The results from both studies showed that adults who used ONRELTEA demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the facial redness of rosacea than vehicle gel. A long-term study was also conducted involving 276 subjects who used ONRELTEA for up to 12-months.
"Galderma Canada's goal is to provide patients with options when it comes to managing various skin concerns, we are thrilled to now offer ONRELTEA to Canadian rosacea patients. Its easy-to-use gel application will reduce the highly noticeable redness associated with rosacea and provide patients with greater control," says Wendy Adams, General Manager of Galderma Canada.
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimated 2 million Canadians and 45 million people worldwide. It is characterized by redness, visible facial blood vessels, pimple-like bumps and blemishes that typically appear in the middle of the face (forehead, nose, cheeks) after age 30 in men and women. While treatments exist for the inflammatory bumps and blemishes of rosacea, ONRELTEA is specifically developed and indicated to treat the persistent facial redness of rosacea, which is the most common symptom of the condition.
Rosacea has many triggers and these include: spicy foods, alcohol, emotional stress, sun exposure, and even hot baths. Because of the physical manifestation of rosacea on the face, the condition can cause embarrassment, anxiety and frustration and can have a negative impact on the patients' social life. If left untreated, rosacea may worsen. If people suspect that they might have rosacea, they should visit their family doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
"Developing rosacea in my forties was a challenging ordeal - the flare ups were embarrassing and my face would be covered in redness, which was so frustrating for me," says Danette Larabie. "Onreltea was the only treatment that ever really worked for me, it totally eliminated the redness and I am overjoyed that it is now available for other patients like me."
For more information about ONRELTEA, see the product monograph at: http://www.galderma.ca/pm/onreltea.pdf
About Galderma Canada Inc.
Galderma Canada is committed to delivering innovative medical solutions to meet the dermatological needs of people throughout their lifetime while serving healthcare professionals. Our product portfolio includes prescription, therapeutic skin and medical dermatology solutions aimed at treating skin diseases with a focus on: acne, rosacea, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis and non-melanoma skin cancer. Our therapeutic skincare line is recommended by healthcare professionals for sensitive or disease compromised skin.
SOURCE: GALDERMA CANADA INC.
Jennifer Runza, [email protected], 416-319-0014; Galderma Canada Inc., 905-762-2500, 1-800-467-2081
Share this article