Depomed Releases Lazanda® 300 mcg Dose for Treatment of Breakthrough Cancer Pain

NEWARK, Calif., July 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Depomed today announced that Lazanda^® (fentanyl) nasal spray, CII, is now available at a 300 mcg dose strength to treat breakthrough cancer pain (BTPc), offering physicians another titration option for dosing flexibility. The new strength can help physicians more easily and accurately target the appropriate dose for patients, effectively managing BTPc.

Lazanda is the only FDA-approved transmucosal immediate release fentanyl (TIRF) that is nasally-delivered, providing rapid relief of BTPc in adults. It is a fast-acting option for patients who struggle with or cannot swallow due to nausea, or who experience vomiting or oral complications such as mucositis, ulcers and dry mouth. Lazanda is indicated for treatment of BTPc in adults already receiving opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain.

"BTPc is often debilitating and intense, arising spontaneously multiple times throughout the day. It affects quality of life for many cancer patients, who may not know that the pain can be successfully managed," said Dr. Steven Wong, medical oncologist, hematologist and former Associate Professor of Medicine and Urology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. "As physicians, it is imperative we have the options and flexibility to effectively and safely manage this severe pain for our patients."

Lazanda is a non-irritating, fine mist that provides pain relief for patients within minutes and lasts at least an hour. It is now available in three dosing strengths, with each spray delivering 100 mcL of solution containing a 100, 300 or 400 mcg fentanyl base. Lazanda can now be titrated to 200, 300, 400, 600 or 800 mcg if adequate pain relief is not achieved with the starting dose of 100 mcg for all patients.

"Helping people living with chronic and acute pain is at the forefront of everything that we do," said Srinivas Rao, MD, PhD, Depomed's Chief Medical Officer. "We heard from health care providers about the need for greater dosing flexibility and are pleased that we were able to meet that need with a new dose strength for Lazanda. Depomed is committed to offering medications at strengths and formulations to best address the needs of people with pain."

About Breakthrough Cancer Pain (BTPc)
BTPc–an intense pain that breaks through around-the-clock opioid medication as a result of disease or treatments–causes sudden, severe spikes in pain. Studies have shown that BTPc can occur in as many as 60 percent of people experiencing cancer pain. [i] Although BTPc can make patients feel like their current pain medications are not enough, it often goes under-treated. Inadequate control of BTPc can negatively affect people's mood, nutrition, sleep and enjoyment of life.[ii]

About Lazanda
Lazanda is an opioid agonist indicated for the management of breakthrough pain in cancer patients 18 years of age and older who are already receiving and who are tolerant to opioid therapy for their underlying persistent cancer pain. Lazanda may be dispensed only to patients enrolled in the TIRF REMS Access program.

Full prescribing information, including the Boxed Warning and Medication Guide, can be found at www.lazanda.com.

About Depomed
Depomed is a leading specialty pharmaceutical company focused on enhancing the lives of patients, families, physicians, providers and payers we serve through commercializing innovative products for pain and neurology related disorders. Depomed markets six medicines with area focus that include mild to severe acute pain, moderate to severe chronic pain, neuropathic pain, migraine and breakthrough cancer pain. Depomed is headquartered in Newark, California. To learn more about Depomed, visit www.depomed.com.

[i] Deandrea S, Corli O, Consonni D, et al. Prevelance of breakthrough cancer pain: a systematic review and pooled analysis of published literature. J Symptom Pain Manag. 201447(1):57-76.:
[ii] Portenoy Rk, Bruns D, Shoemaker, Shoemaker SA. BTPc in community-dwelling patients with cancer and noncancer, part 2: impact on function, mood, and quality of life. J of Opiod Mgmt. 2010: 6 (2): 109-116)

SOURCE Depomed

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