Twice As Many Parkinson's Disease Patients Prefer Orally Dissolving Form of Carbidopa-Levodopa to Conventional Tablets

[John Cottingham <jcott@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The source of this article is PRNewswire: http://tinyurl.com/5tawh

Twice As Many Parkinson's Disease Patients Prefer Orally Dissolving Form of
Carbidopa-Levodopa to Conventional Tablets


         According to New Study Published in "Clinical Therapeutics"

    MILWAUKEE, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A clinical study 
published in
the January 2005 issue of "Clinical Therapeutics" showed that more than 
twice
as many Parkinson's disease patients prefer Parcopa(TM) (carbidopa-levodopa
orally disintegrating tablets) to conventional carbidopa-levodopa tablets.
The primary factors influencing their preference were greater access to
medication to treat "off" times, ease of performing daily activities, use 
for
nighttime dosing and feeling less self-conscious about others noticing
medication use.  Parcopa is a unique formulation of carbidopa-levodopa that
dissolves on the tongue without the need for water.
    "Since Parkinson's disease patients experience symptoms such as 
tremors,
rigidity and episodes of decreased movement or complete immobility, 
especially
in the morning, compliance and access to medication can be a problem," said
Michele Tagliati, MD, Director of the Parkinson's Disease Center at the 
Mount
Sinai Medical Center in New York.  "This study showed that Parcopa offers
important benefits for many patients.  Those who expressed a preference,
preferred an orally dissolving tablet because they felt it was more 
convenient
and easier to access -- which is particularly important for patients 
suffering
from parkinsonian symptoms."

    Study Design and Results
    The multicenter, open-label, sequential study compared preferences for
carbidopa-levodopa orally disintegrating tablets versus conventional 
tablets
in 60 Parkinson's disease patients who had taken a stable dose of 
conventional
carbidopa-levodopa for at least 30 days prior to the trial.  Patients 
received
conventional tablets for 7 +/- 3 days, followed by Parcopa for 14 +/- 3 
days.
During the last 3 days of each treatment period, they recorded their "on" 
and
"off" times and medication use in a diary. On the last day of each 
treatment
period, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) was 
administered.
At the end of the study, patients completed a Global Preference 
Questionnaire
(GPQ).
    Nearly half (45%) of the study subjects preferred orally dissolving
tablets, 35% had no preference and 20% preferred the conventional tablets.
Factors cited as contributing to their preference for the orally dissolving
formulation included:

Reasons Cited for Preference                    Percentage of Patients
Greater access to medication to
treat "off" times                                                50%
Easier to perform daily activities                                47%
Reduced concern about swallowing medication                       45%
Use for nighttime dosing                                          42%
Less self-conscious about use in public                           42%

    About Parcopa
    Recently approved by the FDA, Parcopa (carbidopa-levodopa orally
disintegrating tablets) is a combination of carbidopa and levodopa in 
tablets
that dissolve rapidly on the tongue, without the need for water.  Parcopa's
orally dissolving formulation is designed to provide Parkinson's disease
patients with improved access to their medication.  Parcopa is used to 
treat
symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including tremors, stiffness and slowness 
of
movement, and may permit the patient better mobility.
    Parcopa is available in the same strengths and has the same dosage
schedule as conventional Sinemet(R) (carbidopa-levodopa) tablets.  The most
common side effects include involuntary movements and nausea.  Each 10 
mg/100
mg tablet and each 25 mg/100 mg tablet contain phenylalanine 3.4 mg.  Each 
25
mg/250 mg tablet contains phenylalanine 8.4 mg.  For more information about
Parcopa, talk to your healthcare provider or visit http://www.Parcopa.com.

    About RapiTab(TM) Technology
    SCHWARZ PHARMA's RapiTab(TM) Technology formulates medicines into 
orally
disintegrating tablets that dissolve rapidly on the tongue.  They can be
swallowed with or without water and have pleasant tasting flavors such as
citrus or mint.  RapiTab tablets are convenient and easy for patients to
administer, especially when water is not readily available or patients face
certain obstacles to dosing.  SCHWARZ PHARMA's RapiTab Technology is based 
on
the proprietary DuraSolv(R) technology developed by and licensed from CIMA
LABS INC.(R)  For more information on RapiTab Technology, please visit our 
web
site at http://www.RapiTabtech.com.

    The SCHWARZ PHARMA CNS Pipeline
    SCHWARZ PHARMA is highly committed to the treatment of neurological
disorders and has a robust pipeline including rotigotine CDS, a new 
dopamine
agonist for transdermal treatment of Parkinson's disease.  The Company 
filed
for regulatory approval in 2004.  The Company is also investigating the 
use of
rotigotine CDS for treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), an unpleasant
hyperkinesia of the legs that occurs primarily at night.
    Lacosamide, a novel agent being investigated for both the treatment of
epilepsy and neuropathic pain, is currently in Phase III trials.

    About SCHWARZ PHARMA
    SCHWARZ PHARMA, INC., based in Milwaukee, WI, is a pharmaceutical 
company
with proven expertise in the areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, urology
and neurology.  SCHWARZ PHARMA, INC., is an affiliate of SCHWARZ PHARMA AG
(headquartered in Monheim, Germany).  The SCHWARZ PHARMA Group develops and
markets innovative drugs for unmet medical needs with a focus on the
therapeutic areas of neurology, urology as well as cardiovascular and
gastrointestinal diseases.  The Company is investing in research and
development projects targeting diseases such as Parkinson's disease, 
Restless
Legs Syndrome, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, overactive bladder syndrome/
incontinence and benign prostatic hyperplasia.  SCHWARZ PHARMA has a strong
multinational presence that includes affiliates in Europe, the U.S. and 
Asia.
Shares of SCHWARZ PHARMA AG are traded on the Frankfurt and Dusseldorf 
stock
exchanges.

    Contact at SCHWARZ PHARMA AG / Investor Relations: Antje Witte; Phone: 
+49
2173 48 1866; email: antje.witte@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    For more information about Schwarz Pharma, visit 
http://www.schwarzusa.com
or http://www.schwarzpharma.com.

    Sinemet(R) is a registered trademark of Merck & Co., Inc.
    DuraSolv(R) is a registered trademark of CIMA LABS, INC.(R)

    References:

    Nausieda PA, et al.  A Multicenter, Open-Label, Sequential Study 
Comparing
Preferences for Carbidopa-Levodopa Orally Disintegrating Tablets and
Conventional Tablets in Subjects with Parkinson's Disease.  Clin Ther 2005;
27(1): 58-63.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current
plans, estimates and beliefs of the management of SCHWARZ PHARMA AG. These
forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties 
that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or 
implied
by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties that could 
cause a
material difference in future results include changes in business, economic
and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, foreign exchange rate
fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings and 
the
availability of financing. The Company does not undertake any 
responsibility
to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.


SOURCE SCHWARZ PHARMA Inc.
Web Site:
http://www.schwarzusa.com http://www.schwarzpharma.com

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