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Press Release
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MOBIC Offers Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients An Alternative Treatment Option
- Patients are encouraged to work with their physicians to discuss treatment alternatives -
RIDGEFIELD, Conn., September 30, 2004 - With the announcement by Merck & Co. earlier today, recalling one of the most commonly prescribed arthritis medications, millions of arthritis patients worldwide will be working with their healthcare providers to re-evaluate their treatment. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., makers of MOBIC® (meloxicam) tablets, expresses its support in helping patients review their osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis therapy with their physicians and discuss alternatives when appropriate.
Today's news is not related to MOBIC. MOBIC is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and has been available to patients in the U.S. since June 2000 for the relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis. Last month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved the use of MOBIC for treating the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
"Patients may be concerned by today's news," said Dr. Peter T. Singleton (PM&R/Rheumatology), a Clinical Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University. "Many of my patients have found relief by using meloxicam (MOBIC), as well as other arthritis therapies available today. This news should open up the lines of communication between arthritis patients and their doctors to determine the best treatment option for each individual patient that is affected by the withdrawal of rofecoxib (Vioxx®)."
"MOBIC continues to be a treatment option for millions of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients worldwide," said Paul Fonteyne, Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing and Sales Prescription Medicine. "In light of the recent news, patients should work with their physicians to discuss treatment options in their arthritis therapy."
MOBIC is approved in the U.S. for treating the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis at the same 7.5mg once-daily starting dose. Some patients may receive additional benefit by increasing the dose to 15 mg once daily. Higher doses of MOBIC (22.5 mg and greater) have been associated with an increased risk of serious GI events; therefore, the daily dose of MOBIC should not exceed 15 mg.
About MOBIC® (meloxicam) tablets
Indications: MOBIC is indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
The starting and maintenance dose for MOBIC is 7.5mg once daily. Some patients may receive additional benefit by increasing the dose to 15mg once daily. Higher doses of MOBIC (22.5mg and greater) have been associated with an increased risk of serious GI events; therefore, the daily dose of MOBIC should not exceed 15mg.
Contraindications: MOBIC is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to meloxicam. It should not be given to patients who have experienced asthma, urticaria, or allergic-type reactions after taking aspirin or other NSAIDs. Severe, rarely fatal, anaphylactic-like reactions to NSAIDs have been reported in such patients.
Important NSAID risk information: Patients should be informed about the signs and/or symptoms of serious GI toxicity and the steps to take if they occur. It has been demonstrated that upper GI ulcers, gross bleeding or perforation, caused by NSAIDs, appear to occur in approximately 1% of the patients treated for 3-6 months, and in about 2-4% of patients treated for one year. Serious GI bleeding can occur without warning.
MOBIC was developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and is co-marketed with Abbott Laboratories. For more information, including full Prescribing Information, please visit www.MOBICtablet.com.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., based in Ridgefield, CT, is the largest U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation (Ridgefield, CT) and a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim group of companies.
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 152 affiliates in 45 countries and more than 34,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.
In 2003, Boehringer Ingelheim posted net sales of US $8.37 billion (7.4 billion euro) while spending more than one fifth of net sales in its largest business segment Prescription Medicines on research and development.
For more information, please visit http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Contacts
John Yonsky
Communications & Public Relations
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
900 Ridgebury Road
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Email: JYonsky@rdg.boehringer-ingelheim.com
Phone: (203) 798-4496
Fax: (203) 791-6442
Monique Schwartz
CPR Worldwide
(212) 583-9290