Ramelteon Data Presented At WorldSleep 2007

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 07 Sep 2007 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

Data from a six-month study of ramelteon was presented in poster format at worldsleep07: The 5th World Congress of the World Federation of Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Societies was held in Cairns, Australia September 2-6, 2007. This large clinical study demonstrated that ramelteon was effective in reducing time to fall asleep for up to six months versus placebo in adult patients with chronic insomnia.

A total of 451 patients age 18 or older with chronic insomnia were randomized in this clinical study. Patients were given a nighttime dose of ramelteon 8 mg or placebo for up to 24 consecutive weeks with assessments performed after week one and months one, three, five and six of treatment.

Study results revealed consistent and statistically significant improvements in time to sleep onset using objective assessment via polysomnography -- a test that records brain activity and other body functions during sleep.

Long term use of ramelteon 8 mg was well tolerated and showed no evidence of next-day residual effects, pharmacological tolerance, rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms. (Poster 525)

----------------------------
Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
----------------------------

Ramelteon is marketed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. in the United States as ROZEREM™ (ramelteon).

About ROZEREM

ROZEREM™ (ramelteon) is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. ROZEREM can be prescribed for long-term use. ROZEREM is the first and only prescription sleep medication that has shown no evidence of abuse or dependence in clinical studies,* and has not been designated as a controlled substance. With the exception of ROZEREM, all other prescription medications indicated for insomnia are classified as Schedule IV controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. ROZEREM has a unique therapeutic mechanism of action that targets two receptors located in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The SCN is known as the body's "master clock" because it regulates the sleep-wake cycle. *ROZEREM is not a controlled substance. A clinical abuse liability study showed no differences indicative of abuse potential between ROZEREM and placebo at doses up to 20 times the recommended dose (N=14). Three 35-day insomnia studies showed no evidence of rebound insomnia or withdrawal symptoms with ROZEREM compared to placebo (N=2082).

Important Safety Information

ROZEREM should not be used in patients with hypersensitivity to any components of the formulation, severe hepatic impairment, or in combination with fluvoxamine. Failure of insomnia to remit after a reasonable period of time should be medically evaluated, as this may be the result of an unrecognized underlying medical disorder. Hypnotics should be administered with caution to patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of depression.

ROZEREM has not been studied in patients with severe sleep apnea, severe COPD, or in children or adolescents. The effects in these populations are unknown. Avoid taking ROZEREM with alcohol.

ROZEREM has been associated with decreased testosterone levels and increased prolactin levels. Health professionals should be mindful of any unexplained symptoms possibly associated with such changes in these hormone levels. ROZEREM should not be taken with or immediately after a high-fat meal. ROZEREM should be taken within 30 minutes before going to bed and activities confined to preparing for bed.

The most common adverse events seen with ROZEREM that had at least a 2% incidence difference from placebo were somnolence, dizziness, and fatigue.

For complete Prescribing Information, visit http://www.rozerem.com/.

Worldsleep 2007 Conference

The largest international meeting of the global sleep community ever held to date will happen in Cairns from the 2nd to 6th September 2007.

Fifteen thousand sleep specialists from around the world shared the latest scientific findings in sleep, sleep disorders and treatments. The conference also addressed the extraordinary growth of sleep medicine worldwide and the global public health issue of "healthy sleep."

Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.

Based in Deerfield, Ill., Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., is a wholly owned subsidiary of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan. In the United States, Takeda currently markets products for diabetes, insomnia, wakefulness and gastroenterology. Through the Takeda Global Research & Development Center, Inc. the company has a robust pipeline with compounds in development for diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other conditions. Takeda is committed to striving toward better health for individuals and progress in medicine by developing superior pharmaceutical products. To learn more about the company and its products, visit http://www.tpna.com/.

Contacts:
Elissa J. Johnsen
Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc.
Amy Losak
Ketchum

Source: Amy Losak
Ketchum