EUSA Launches Novel Anaesthetic Plaster In UK - Rapydan(R) - Now Available For The Relief Of Pain Associated With Injections

Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Also Included In: Dermatology
Article Date: 21 Jan 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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EUSA Pharma announced the launch of Rapydan®, the first topical anaesthetic plaster available in the UK, which combines an innovative gentle warming system with two potent anaesthetics (lidocaine and tetracaine) to provide fast, effective anaesthesia. Rapydan is easy to use and works twice as fast as EMLA (topical cream) and eliminates pain in 95% of patients after just 30 minutes1.

Studies have shown that gentle warming of the skin increases vasodilatation and skin and blood vessel permeability which facilitates access to veins for blood sampling or drug administration.

The lidocaine/tetracaine plaster is indicated for use in surface anaesthesia of the skin in connection with needle puncture in adults and children from 3 years of age and in cases of superficial surgical procedures such as removal of skin tags, on normal intact skin in adults. It offers convenience in a one-step, no-mess plaster form, eliminating the need for a separate dressing and allowing clinical time to be allocated to other important matters.

"The arrival of a new easy to use plaster for procedural pain management is exciting news for the medical community, as no patient should experience distress and pain when receiving injections," Dr Neil Morton, Paediatric Anaesthetist, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Glasgow. "The benefits offered by Rapydan will give medical teams treating patients, especially sick children, a quick and reliable anaesthetic effect, while minimising patient fear and pain and freeing up valuable medical and nursing time."

Venepuncture and venous cannulation are the two most common sources of distress in hospitalised children. In fact 80% of pre-school children and 50% of school age children are afraid of needles.2 The use of a topical anaesthetic preparation can have a profound influence upon a child's experience of needle procedures and can play a major part in preventing needlephobia.3

"The arrival of Rapydan will help raise awareness within the medical and patient community that convenient and effective pain relief associated with injections is available," said Dr Andy Jones, Medical Director, EUSA Pharma UK. "EUSA is pleased to offer this breakthrough option for pain relief to patients throughout the UK."

About EUSA

EUSA Pharma is a fast growing, transatlantic specialty pharmaceutical company developing and commercialising a range of prescription products in pain, oncology and critical care for healthcare professionals and patients.

The EUSA goal is to be recognised as a leading pharmaceutical company in pain, oncology and critical care. In the prevention of procedural pain, EUSA is committed to working with healthcare professionals to help minimise the discomfort of invasive procedures including venepuncture, venous cannulation and minor dermatological procedures.

EUSA Pharma holds the exclusive marketing rights for Rapydan in Europe. Rapydan is now also available in Sweden, and will be available in additional European countries in 2008, pending additional regulatory approvals.

http://www.eusapharma.com

References

1. Rapydan Summary of Product Characteristics.

2. G. Bennett Humphrey MD, PhD, Chris M. J. Boon MA, G. F. E. Chiquit van Linden van den Heuvell MA, and Harry B. M. van de Wiel PhD. The Occurrence of High Levels of Acute Behavioral Distress in Children and Adolescents Undergoing Routine Venipunctures. Pediatrics Vol. 90 No. 1 July 1992, pp. 87-91

3. Sethna NF et al. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate S-Caine patch for reducing pain associated with vascular access in children. Anesthesiology 2005;102:403-408.

EUSA Pharma