FDA Approves New Pfizer Drug for Women
Posted on: Tuesday, 29 March 2005, 21:00 CST
Mar. 30--The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved a new Pfizer drug to treat endometriosis, a painful gynecological condition that afflicts one in 10 women.
Pfizer said that the FDA approved its depo-subQ provera, which is a long-acting injectable contraception medicine that can manage the pain of endometriosis. Pfizer officials said the new drug is the first new treatment for the condition in 15 years.
The new medicine is administered through an injection four times a year, about every 12 to 14 weeks, according to Pfizer officials. Pfizer said the medication was previously approved in December 2004 for use as a contraceptive, to be injected into a patient every three months.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue in the uterus implants itself in other parts of a woman's body, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. The major symptom of the condition is pelvic pain. Endometriosis also is one of the top causes of infertility, although Pfizer officials said the exact link is unknown.
The New York-based Pfizer, which has research campuses in Groton and New London, said its new medication is as effective in treating pain as a common existing treatment called Lupron Depot, but also causes fewer "hot flash" symptoms and less loss of bone density.
Dr. Ray Urbanski, Pfizer's medical director, said that endometriosis can worsen over time if not treated. "Women will now have the opportunity to get pain relief as effective as a commonly prescribed treatment but with fewer hot flashes and less (bone loss)," he said.
a.cronin@theday.com
-----
To see more of The Day, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.theday.com.
Copyright (c) 2005, The Day, New London, Conn.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
For information on republishing this content, contact us at (800) 661-2511 (U.S.), (213) 237-4914 (worldwide), fax (213) 237-6515, or e-mail reprints@krtinfo.com.
PFE,
Source: The Day
Related Articles
- VIDEO from Medialink, the National Fibromyalgia Association and Pfizer: The Painful Truth about Fibromyalgia
- Pfizer's Lyrica Receives FDA Approval for Fibromyalgia Based on Expedited Review
- TorreyPines Therapeutics Initiates Second Phase I Clinical Trial of NGX426, a Potential Novel Oral Treatment for Chronic Pain Conditions
- Wyeth Gets Conditional Approval for Depression Drug
- Alcoholism Drug Moves Ahead: A Promising Treatment to Be Marketed By Cephalon Has Won Conditional Approval By the FDA for Sale
- Conditional approval granted for alcoholism drug
- New Drug Treats Endometriosis Pain
- FDA Approves New Diarrhea Drug for Travelers
- FDA to Vow Fast Approval of AIDS Drugs
- FDA Approves Another Cholesterol Drug
 |
 |
User Comments (0)
RSS Feeds