Galderma Laboratories, L.P. has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Mirvaso® (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33%* for the topical treatment of the facial erythema (redness) of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Applied once daily, Mirvaso works quickly to reduce the redness of rosacea and lasts up to 12 hours. Galderma expects Mirvaso to be available in pharmacies September 2013.
"Facial redness is the most common symptom of rosacea, but until now, physicians have been without prescription treatment options to specifically address this patient need," said Mark Jackson, M.D., Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Louisville, dermatologist and a principal investigator for the phase 3 studies of Mirvaso. "The FDA approval of Mirvaso marks a turning point in rosacea treatment: we are now able to provide patients who deal with the daily frustrations caused by the redness of rosacea with an effective therapy."
The approval of Mirvaso was based on data collected from more than 550 patients enrolled in two phase 3 clinical studies of one-month duration. The results from both studies showed that adults who used Mirvaso demonstrated significantly greater improvement in the facial redness of rosacea than vehicle gel. In addition, a long-term study in 276 subjects who used Mirvaso for up to 12-months was also conducted. Mirvaso is a topical gel that may work by constricting the dilated facial blood vessels to reduce the redness of rosacea. Mirvaso should be applied in a pea-sized amount, once daily to each of the five regions of the face: the forehead, chin, nose and each cheek.
Mirvaso is safe and well-tolerated. In controlled clinical trials the most common adverse reactions (incidence ≥ 1%) included erythema, flushing, skin burning sensation, and contact dermatitis. In the long-term study, the most common adverse events (≥ 4% of subjects) included flushing (10%), erythema (8%), rosacea (5%), nasopharyngitis (5%), skin burning sensation (4%), increased intraocular pressure (4%), and headache (4%).
What is Rosacea?
Rosacea is a chronic, inflammatory and vascular disorder affecting the face. Redness, visible blood vessels, bumps and blemishes typically appear in the middle of the face (forehead, nose, cheeks) after age 30 in men and women. Rosacea affects an estimated 16 million Americans.
Triggers for the condition may include spicy foods, alcohol, emotional stress, sun exposure, and hot baths. Because of the physical manifestation of rosacea on the face, the condition can cause embarrassment, anxiety and frustration and can have a negative impact on the patients' social life. Stinging, burning, sensitivity of the skin is common, and in some cases, the eyes can become red, dry and itchy. If left untreated, rosacea may worsen. If people suspect that they might have rosacea, they should visit their dermatologist or healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Important Safety Information - Mirvaso® Gel
Indication: Mirvaso® (brimonidine) topical gel, 0.33% is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist indicated for the topical treatment of persistent (nontransient) facial erythema of rosacea in adults 18 years of age or older. Adverse Events: In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions (≥1%) included erythema, flushing, skin-burning sensation and contact dermatitis. Warnings/Precautions: Mirvaso gel should be used with caution in patients with depression, cerebral or coronary insufficiency, Raynaud's phenomenon, orthostatic hypotension, thromboangiitis obliterans, scleroderma, or Sjögren's syndrome. Alpha-2 adrenergic agents can lower blood pressure. Mirvaso gel should be used with caution in patients with severe or unstable or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. Serious adverse reactions following accidental ingestion of Mirvaso gel by children have been reported. Keep Mirvaso gel out of reach of children. Not for oral, ophthalmic, or intravaginal use.
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