Title: DG DISPATCH - DDW: Lotronex Promising As IBS TreatmentURL:
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/FEACE.htm Doctor's GuideMay 19, 1999By Andrew BowserSpecial to DG NewsORLANDO, FL -- May 19, 1999 -- A new therapy under investigation for women with irritable bowelsyndrome (IBS) provides significant relief from pain and discomfort, according to multicentre phase IIItrials reported yesterday at Digestive Diseases Week, in Orlando, FL. GlaxoWellcome's drug Lotronex (alosetron) binds selectively to 5-HT3 receptors, which may cause aslowing in colonic transit, as well as a reduction in transmission of pain signal from the colon. In one 12-week trial of 647 non-constipated women with IBS who took alosetron twice daily, morethan 60 percent of patients experienced relief as measured by a composite pain and diarrhea scale.That compared to somewhat more than 40 percent of patients who received a placebo -- a statisticallysignificant difference. A second, similar randomised controlled trial including 626 non-constipated women with IBS showedsimilar results. The drug's efficacy is not limited to women, said Dr. William Chey of the University ofRochester in Rochester, N.Y. Dr. Chey described the case of a 39-year-old male executive with unexplained abdominal pain andfrequent bowel movements who couldn't tolerate the side effects of conventional anticholinergictreatments (which include blurred vision, dry mouth and inability to concentrate). After startingalosetron, the executive's pain improved and his symptoms were markedly reduced. Composite clinical trials including men and women are underway. In addition, Glaxo Wellcome plans tofile a New Drug Application with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration within a month or two.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright � 1999 PSL Consulting Group Inc. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution ofPSL content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of PSL. PSL shall not beliable for any errors, omissions or delays in this content or any other content on its sites, newsletters orother publications, nor for any decisions or actions taken in reliance on such content. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This news story was printed from *Doctor's Guide to the Internet*located at
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