Products
20 years of the antihistamine Ebastel® (ebastine)
- An estimated 3 and a half billion units of Ebastel® have been administered[i] around the world and in Spain it is the antihistamine market leader[ii]
- Ebastel's Flas formulation is unique in its ease of use as it dissolves in the mouth in just five seconds without water
- A study [iii] shows that 88% of patients would change their current treatment to ebastine fast-dissolving tablet ( Flas formula)
Barcelona, 7 May 2010.- The antihistamine Ebastel®, from Almirall's proprietary R&D, is celebrating its 20th anniversary.The product is indicated for symptomatic treatment of allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial) associated or not with allergic conjunctivitis and the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria and allergic dermatitis. Ebastel®, which active ingredient is ebastine, is marketed worldwide with a presence in over 30 countries. It is estimated that since its launch over 3 and a half billion units have been administered all over the world while in Spain Ebastel®, tops the antihistamine market in both values and units.
Ebastel® was and still is the object of numerous studies and investigations that demonstrate its efficacy and good safety profile. During the research and development period and since its first launch, it has been subjected to rigorous clinical trials and studies on over 8,000 patients that confirms and corroborate these positive results.
Unique formula on the market
Its Flas formula(oral fast-dissolving tablet), which was launched in 2005, is even more practical as it is the first antihistamine that dissolves in the mouth in just five seconds, without water and with a pleasant minty flavour that increases its patient- friendliness.
A multicentric, retrospective, observational study performed on patients in Europe and Mexico with intermittent or persistent allergic rhinitis who had received treatment with ebastine fast dissolving tablet (FDT) at a dose of 20 mg over the last two months showed that ebastine in this format is effective and well-tolerated. Over 80% of patients indicated its ease of use and their satisfaction. 88% of these patients would change their current treatment for fast-dissolving ebastine tablets (Flas formula).
Ebastel® is also available in different doses (10mg and 20mg) and three formulations (solution, tablets and oral freeze-dried), which include the trademarks Ebastel Forte®, Ebastel Flas® and Ebastel Forte Flas ®.
Allergy is the third most common chronic complaint in Spain
Results of the European Health Survey in Spain[iv], obtained during the second and third quarter of 2009, indicate that allergy is the third most common complaint, only exceeded by back pain and hypertension.
The study indicates that five and a half million people suffer from allergy in Spain, that is, 16.3% of the population. In fifth place are migraines or frequent headache, which affect 11.6% of the population and which in many cases could originate from allergy.
Ebastel®
Ebastel®, whose active ingredient is ebastine, is an antihistamine for the treatment of allergy. This Almirall proprietary R&D molecule is commercialised through licensees or own affiliates in European and Asian countries as well as Latin America. Specifically, through Almirall, it is present in Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Italy, Mexico and Portugal. In Asian countries ebastine is distributed in Japan, Korea and China, among others.
In 2005 ebastine presented its new galenic formulation Flas, a fast-dissolving oral formula and an innovation in the antihistamine market. This new formulation is expanding internationally after its successful launch in Spain, Finland and Japan. It is currently also present in Belgium, France, Italy, Mexico, Portugal and Turkey.
About Almirall
Almirall, an international pharmaceutical company based on innovation and committed to health. Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, researches, develops, manufactures and commercialises its own R&D and licensed drugs with the aim of improving people's health and wellbeing.
The therapeutic areas on which Almirall focuses its research resources are related to the treatment of asthma, COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and other dermatological conditions.
Almirall's products are currently present in over 70 countries while it has direct presence in Europe and Latin America through 11 affiliates.
More information:
Ketchum Pleon
Sonia San Segundo/Victorino Ballestero
Tel.: 00 34 91 788 32 00
[i]For this figure the daily dose of ebastine is estimated at 10 mg. Addendum to 22nd ebastine periodic safety update report. Almirall, S.A. Date of report: 18 September 2009.
[ii]IMS sales. MAT March 2010
[iii]Roger, A, Fortea, S. Mora, et al. Ebastine fast-dissolving tablets versus regular tablets: acceptability and preference in patients with allergic rhinitis. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2008; 1 (3): 381-9.
Press release