"Scandal" Star Bellamy Young Encourages Women to Take Control of Their Migraines During National Migraine Awareness Month

MORRISTOWN, N.J., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Bellamy Young, actress and singer, best known for her role as First Lady 'Mellie' Grant on ABC's drama "Scandal", has partnered with Pernix Therapeutics (NASDAQ: PTX), the makers of TREXIMET^®, to share her experience with migraines in conjunction with National Migraine Awareness Month. As one of the more than 36 million Americans¹ who suffer from migraines, Bellamy hopes to drive national awareness of the impact migraines can have, particularly in the summer when warmer weather and shifts in daily routines may trigger symptoms.

"I've been dealing with migraines for as long as I can remember," said Bellamy. "For the most part, I've been suffering in silence, trying to create my own lists of things to avoid doing or eating, little tricks I'd heard of, or DIY routines I thought up – anything I thought might ease my pain – but never having any success. And migraines impact every moment of your life – if you don't currently have one, you're always on high alert waiting for the next one to hit. I finally feel like I have a strategy for coping with them now and that makes me feel like I have a new lease on life. I'm hoping what I've gone through will save other folks some pain and let them know that there are other treatment options available now."

As Bellamy is well aware, the unpredictable, intense pain of migraines often impacts sufferers' personal and professional lives in a meaningful way. In fact, a new survey conducted by Everyday Health, Inc., on behalf of Pernix Therapeutics revealed that 8 in 10 female migraine sufferers² said having migraines makes them feel less in control of their lives, while half agreed their personal relationships suffer because of their migraines.

The survey also found:

• Female migraine sufferers get frustrated (87%) when they feel like they have done everything right, yet still have migraines.
• While only 36% of physicians ask about how migraines have affected their careers, nearly all (96%) female migraine suffers find it difficult to work when they have migraines and almost half (48%) have missed at least one day of work in the past month due to migraines.
• Migraine suffering moms feel especially guilty (91%) when they miss out on quality time with their children because of their migraines.

Female migraine sufferers spend an average of 4 hours per week planning for a potential migraine and few women (29%) are very satisfied with their prescription medication. Fortunately, there are solutions that may help manage the unpredictable nature of migraines to allow sufferers to take back control when a migraine starts.

Depending on individual symptoms, health care providers may recommend a prescription medication such as TREXIMET, a combination tablet made with two medicines – sumatriptan and naproxen sodium. The combination may be an effective option for some patients and may offer sustained control of the pain and associated symptoms of migraines compared to taking either medicine alone. To learn more about TREXIMET and treating migraines in patients 12 years of age and older, visit www.treximet.com.

About Pernix Therapeutics
Pernix Therapeutics is a specialty pharmaceutical business with a focus on acquiring, developing and commercializing prescription drugs primarily for the U.S. market. The Company targets underserved therapeutic areas such as CNS, including neurology and psychiatry, and has an interest in expanding into additional specialty segments. The Company promotes its branded products to physicians through its Pernix sales force, uses contracted sales organizations to market its non-core, cough and cold products, and markets its generic portfolio through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC and Cypress Pharmaceutical, Inc. To learn more about Pernix Therapeutics, visit www.pernixtx.com.

About TREXIMET^®
TREXIMET was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2008 for the acute treatment of migraine attacks, with or without aura, in adults. The product is formulated with POZEN's patented technology of combining a triptan with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and GlaxoSmithKline's (GSK) RT Technology™. TREXIMET has been shown to provide superior sustained pain relief compared to placebo and to both of the single mechanism of action components. In clinical trials, TREXIMET provided a significantly greater percentage of adult patients with migraine pain relief at two hours compared to sumatriptan 85 mg or naproxen sodium 500 mg alone. In addition, TREXIMET provided more patients sustained migraine pain relief from two to 24 hours compared to the individual components.

Indication
Prescription TREXIMET^® is used to treat acute migraine headaches with or without aura in patients 12 years of age and older.

TREXIMET^® is not used to treat other types of headaches such as hemiplegic or basilar migraines. TREXIMET^® is not used to prevent or decrease the number of migraine headaches you have. It is not known if TREXIMET^® is safe and effective to treat cluster headaches.

Important Safety Information
TREXIMET^® may increase your chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. Your chance of a heart attack or stroke increases with longer use of NSAID medicines or if you have heart disease or risk factors for heart disease.

Serious allergic or skin reactions, or stomach and intestine problems such as bleeding and ulcers, can occur without warning and may cause death. Risk of stomach and intestinal problems increases in the elderly.

Do not take TREXIMET^® if you have heart problems, history of heart problems, or have ever had heart bypass surgery; had a stroke, TIAs, or problems with your blood circulation; hemiplegic migraines or basilar migraines; narrowing of blood vessels to your legs and arms, stomach, or kidneys; uncontrolled blood pressure; an allergy to aspirin, NSAIDs, sumatriptan or any of the ingredients in TREXIMET^®; taken any medicines in the last 24 hours that are triptans or contain ergotamine; taken an MAOI antidepressant within the last 2 weeks; during third trimester of pregnancy; or liver problems. TREXIMET^® should never be used if you have ever had a heart surgery called a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG).

Before you take TREXIMET^®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions including if you have risk factors for heart disease like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and heart problems or a family history of heart problems or stroke; kidney problems; liver problems; history of epilepsy or seizures; are pregnant, think you might be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant; are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Serotonin syndrome is a rare but serious problem that can happen in people using TREXIMET^®, especially if used with antidepressants called SSRIs or SNRIs.

The most common side effects of TREXIMET^® include: dizziness; feeling weak, drowsy, or tired; pain, discomfort, or stiffness in your neck, throat, jaw, or chest; nausea; tingling or numbness in your fingers or toes; heartburn; dry mouth; feeling hot; heartbeat problems; and muscle tightness.

For more information, please see the complete Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNINGS, and the Medication Guide at www.treximet.com.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Media Relations
Marianne Lambertson, 800-793-2145 ext. 1012
Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications
[email protected] 

Priscilla White, 212-704-4456
Edelman
[email protected]  

                                               

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SOURCE Pernix Therapeutics

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