ATLANTA, June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- regulated
information — Global biopharmaceutical company UCB, Inc. and
professional golfer Jeff Klauk today
announced the launch of a new Pledge campaign for people with
epilepsy and their loved ones. The Pledge empowers the
millions of Americans living with epilepsy to take a stand and make
a personal commitment to demand more: greater understanding of the
condition, better collaboration with their health care team and
additional partial-onset seizure control. More information is
available at www.ourtimeourpledge.com.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130618/NY33274
)
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition that affects 3
million Americans and 65 million people worldwide.1
Anyone can develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races and
genders. Even though one in three adults knows someone with the
disorder, it remains among the least understood chronic medical
conditions.1
Jeff Klauk's experience with
epilepsy has been a winding journey, dating back to 2006 when he
first began experiencing seizures. He had his first
partial-onset seizure in 2010, but did not get an official epilepsy
diagnosis until 2011. Klauk then began working with an
epileptologist — a neurologist that specializes in
epilepsy2 — to get additional control of the condition,
and was started on a new treatment regimen that included the
addition of the antiepileptic drug VIMPAT®
(lacosamide) C-V to manage his partial-onset seizures. The most
common adverse reactions reported with VIMPAT® include
dizziness, headache, nausea, and double vision.
While Klauk's partial-onset seizures are typically 30-second
periods where he spaces out and chuckles, partial-onset
seizures vary from person to person and can also present as
twitching or a sudden emotional swing.
"Almost 60 percent of people who have seizures experience
partial-onset seizures,3 and while some have trademark
characteristics like Jeff's that make them easier to identify,
others might be barely perceptible, even to the person having
them," said Kelly Simontacchi,
Ph.D., Medical Director, CNS at UCB. "Even the most subtle
partial-onset seizures cannot and should not be taken lightly."
A critical step for people experiencing partial-onset seizures
may be to seek care from a specialist, who can help them manage
their condition.
"My personal Pledge was going the extra mile to seek out the
best health care team I could find and have the most productive
conversations with them as possible," said Klauk, whose first
partial-onset seizure occurred as he was driving his family to
church. "Epilepsy is not something to hide from. I encourage others
affected by partial-onset seizures to speak candidly with their
doctors and loved ones, and go online to take their own
Pledge."
UCB's Pledge campaign isn't just for those living with epilepsy.
Caregivers, who are often on the front lines of epilepsy
management with their loved ones, are also invited to take the
Pledge.
"I took the Pledge for the one I love the most, and constantly
strive to better understand the condition and how it impacts Jeff,"
said Shanna Klauk, Jeff's wife and
the one he credits as his 'anchor' in helping him to manage his
condition. "Standing outside Jeff's condition gives me a
perspective that he doesn't have. The vantage point of a family
member or loved one can be invaluable to someone living with
epilepsy, both in the doctor's office and in everyday
life."
UCB, a leader in epilepsy and the maker of VIMPAT®,
an add-on medication used to treat partial-onset seizures in adults
with epilepsy, is committed to transforming the lives of people
living with severe diseases through conducting scientific research,
developing treatments and creating programming for health care
professionals and patients. The company's latest initiative is a
simple but important step in helping the epilepsy community obtain
additional or improved seizure control and encourages the public to
shift their mindset, take action and support a nationwide movement
of people ready to do more. Pledges can range from improving
communication, educating friends and family about epilepsy or
encouraging others not to settle for their current level of seizure
control. More information and tips for living the Pledge can
be found online.
INDICATION
VIMPAT® (lacosamide) is a prescription medicine that
is used with other medicines to treat partial onset seizures in
people 17 years of age and older with epilepsy.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
VIMPAT® may not be for everyone. Ask your healthcare
provider if VIMPAT® is right for you.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Antiepileptic drugs, including VIMPAT®, may cause
suicidal thoughts or actions in a very small number of people,
about 1 in 500. Call your healthcare provider right away if you
have new or worsening symptoms of depression, any unusual changes
in mood or behavior, or suicidal thoughts, behavior, or thoughts
about self-harm that you have never had before or may be worse than
before.
Do not stop taking VIMPAT® without first talking to
your healthcare provider. Stopping VIMPAT® suddenly can
cause serious problems. Stopping seizure medicine suddenly in a
patient who has epilepsy can cause seizures that will not stop.
VIMPAT® may also cause you to feel dizzy, have double
vision, feel sleepy, or have problems with coordination and
walking. You should not drive, operate machinery or do other
dangerous activities until you know how VIMPAT® affects
you.
VIMPAT® may cause you to have an irregular heartbeat
or may cause you to feel faint. Call your healthcare provider if
you have a fast, slow, or pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath,
feel lightheaded, or if you fainted or feel like you are going to
faint.
VIMPAT® is a federally controlled substance (C-V)
because it can be abused or lead to drug dependence. Keep your
VIMPAT® in a safe place to protect it from theft. Do not
give it to anyone else, because it may harm them.
In rare cases, VIMPAT® may cause a serious allergic
reaction that may affect your skin or other parts of your body such
as your liver or blood cells. Call your healthcare provider right
away if you have a skin rash or hives, fever or swollen glands that
do not go away, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs,
yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, or dark urine.
Before taking VIMPAT®, tell your healthcare provider
if you have or have had depression, mood problems, or suicidal
thoughts or behavior; have heart, kidney or liver problems; have
abused prescription medicines, street drugs or alcohol in the past,
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Common Adverse Reactions
In clinical trials, the most common side effects seen with
VIMPAT® were dizziness, headache, nausea, and double
vision.
Talk to your healthcare provider about other possible side
effects with VIMPAT®. 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.
Please see additional patient information in the Medication
Guide at the end of the full prescribing information. This
information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare
provider about your condition or your treatment. Visit
www.Vimpat.com for more information.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting
approximately 65 million people worldwide and 3 million people in
the U.S.—making it more common than autism, cerebral palsy,
multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease combined. Anyone can
develop epilepsy; it occurs across all ages, races and genders and
is defined as two or more unprovoked seizures. Uncontrolled
seizures and medication side effects pose challenges to independent
living, learning and employment, so the goal of epilepsy treatment
is seizure freedom with minimal side effects. More than 1 million
patients in the U.S. continue to have seizures despite initial
therapy, and more than 800,000 patients in the U.S. continue to
have seizures despite treatment with two or more therapies. New
medications and treatments give hope to those living with
uncontrolled seizures.1,4
About UCB
UCB, Brussels, Belgium
(www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the
discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to
transform the lives of people living with severe diseases of the
immune system or of the central nervous system. With 9,000 people
in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of
EUR 3.4 billion in 2012. UCB is
listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).
For more information
Andrea Levin
770.970.8352
Andrea.Levin@ucb.com
Julia Jackson
212.886.2249
jjackson@cooneywaters.com
References
1.
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/aboutepilepsy/whatisepilepsy/statistics.cfm
accessed 3/16/13
2. Epilepsy Foundation. FIND A DOCTOR.
http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org/africanamerican/whatisepilepsy/Find-a-Doctor.cfm.
Accessed April 3, 2013.
3. Vimpat. Understanding Partial-Onset Seizures.
http://www.vimpat.com/partial-onset-seizures.aspx. Accessed
April 8, 2013.
4. NINDS/NIH. Seizures and Epilepsy.
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/epilepsy/detail_epilepsy.htm#196923109.
Accessed April 3, 2013.
SOURCE UCB, Inc.
