Health Canada approves ZELDOX(R) for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder
Fierce Biotech
KIRKLAND, QC, Jan. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved ZELDOX (ziprasidone hydrochloride), for use in the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
Prompt and effective control of acute manic or mixed episodes is an important goal as patients are at an increased risk for impulsive and dangerous behaviors, often requiring psychiatric hospitalization.
"As many bipolar disorder medications cause substantial weight gain, it is often challenging to treat patients for this serious and often disabling condition," said Dr. Roger McIntyre, Head, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto. "ZELDOX provides an important new option for patients suffering from acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder as it appears to cause less weight gain and consequent morbidity than other medications that are frequently used to treat mood disorders. A primary reason that patients discontinue therapy as part of bipolar management is due to intolerable and distressing side effects such as weight gain." ZELDOX is also approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, bringing an additional option to manage these chronic complex mental illnesses, which are highly stigmatized and misunderstood.
"One of the greatest challenges in coping with a mood disorder is appropriate diagnosis and then access to appropriate treatment, including medication that meets the specific needs of the patient," said Phil Upshall, National Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. "Newly approved medications for bipolar disorder are welcome because they provide both the doctor and the patient with more treatment options. This is a great benefit for the community which Mood Disorders Canada serves."
Approximately 2% of Canadians will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their lifetime(1). Acute mania characterized by symptoms such as feeling invincible or all powerful, inflated self-esteem, racing thoughts, overreaction to what one sees or hears, misinterpretation of events, speeded-up activity, talking very quickly, too loudly, or more than usual. The precise cause of bipolar disorder remains unknown and there is no definitive cure.
"With its rapid control of symptoms and favorable weight profile, ZELDOX is a welcome new treatment option for people suffering from bipolar disorder," said John Helou, General Manager, Specialty Care - Canada, Pfizer Canada.
About ZELDOX
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, ZELDOX was approved in Canada in 2008 for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders and in 2009 for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
ZELDOX has been approved in 89 other countries worldwide and is marketed under the brand name GEODON in some countries, including the United States.
Pfizer Canada Patient Information for Zeldox
attached
Fierce Biotech
KIRKLAND, QC, Jan. 22, 2012 /CNW/ - Pfizer Canada Inc. announced today that Health Canada has approved ZELDOX (ziprasidone hydrochloride), for use in the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
Prompt and effective control of acute manic or mixed episodes is an important goal as patients are at an increased risk for impulsive and dangerous behaviors, often requiring psychiatric hospitalization.
"As many bipolar disorder medications cause substantial weight gain, it is often challenging to treat patients for this serious and often disabling condition," said Dr. Roger McIntyre, Head, Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network and Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto. "ZELDOX provides an important new option for patients suffering from acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder as it appears to cause less weight gain and consequent morbidity than other medications that are frequently used to treat mood disorders. A primary reason that patients discontinue therapy as part of bipolar management is due to intolerable and distressing side effects such as weight gain." ZELDOX is also approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, bringing an additional option to manage these chronic complex mental illnesses, which are highly stigmatized and misunderstood.
"One of the greatest challenges in coping with a mood disorder is appropriate diagnosis and then access to appropriate treatment, including medication that meets the specific needs of the patient," said Phil Upshall, National Executive Director of the Mood Disorders Society of Canada. "Newly approved medications for bipolar disorder are welcome because they provide both the doctor and the patient with more treatment options. This is a great benefit for the community which Mood Disorders Canada serves."
Approximately 2% of Canadians will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder in their lifetime(1). Acute mania characterized by symptoms such as feeling invincible or all powerful, inflated self-esteem, racing thoughts, overreaction to what one sees or hears, misinterpretation of events, speeded-up activity, talking very quickly, too loudly, or more than usual. The precise cause of bipolar disorder remains unknown and there is no definitive cure.
"With its rapid control of symptoms and favorable weight profile, ZELDOX is a welcome new treatment option for people suffering from bipolar disorder," said John Helou, General Manager, Specialty Care - Canada, Pfizer Canada.
About ZELDOX
Discovered and developed by Pfizer, ZELDOX was approved in Canada in 2008 for the treatment of schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders and in 2009 for the treatment of acute manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar disorder.
ZELDOX has been approved in 89 other countries worldwide and is marketed under the brand name GEODON in some countries, including the United States.
Pfizer Canada Patient Information for Zeldox
attached