ATLANTA and BRIDGEWATER, N.J., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Ladies
Professional Golf Association (LPGA) player Jill McGill and the Asthma and
Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) have teamed up with UCB and
sanofi-aventis to launch the Challenge Your Course campaign. The campaign
is designed to encourage indoor and outdoor allergy sufferers to visit
their physician to examine the way they currently manage their symptoms.
Many people suffer from the symptoms associated with indoor and outdoor
allergies, such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and nose. Experts
estimate that allergies affect as many as 40 million people in the United
States.
"As a golfer, I'm always surrounded by grass and when I'm traveling to
different cities on tour I never know how my indoor and outdoor allergies
will react. There have been many times that my symptoms have been so bad
that I had a hard time even being on the golf course," says Jill McGill,
LPGA golfer and a long time nasal allergy sufferer. "With such a severe
runny nose, itchy eyes and sneezing, it was very difficult for me to
concentrate and physically swing the club. It became such a problem that I
finally decided to start treating my nasal allergies and went to see my
physician. Now I'm teaming up with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of
America to help educate other people with indoor and outdoor allergies."
Through Challenge Your Course, indoor and outdoor allergy sufferers are
encouraged to visit their physician to review their current allergy
management routine. Nasal allergy sufferers can learn about available
treatment options, including XYZAL(R) (levocetirizine dihydrochloride), a
new once-daily prescription medication indicated for the relief of symptoms
associated with indoor and outdoor allergies, as well as the treatment of
uncomplicated manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) in
adults and children 6 years and older. This program includes a variety of
helpful information and tools including an allergy treatment scorecard,
tips for managing indoor and outdoor allergies, as well as additional
background on Jill McGill. Anyone can log on to ChallengeYourCourse.com to
determine if they are managing their indoor and outdoor allergies
optimally.
"Jill is not alone as 60 percent of patients using a prescription
medication to treat their seasonal allergies reported they are interested
in finding a new prescription nasal allergy treatment," said Mike Tringale,
director of external affairs for AAFA, the leading allergy patient
organization. "With so many people dissatisfied with their current indoor
and outdoor allergy treatment options, we are very excited to work with
Jill to motivate patients to ensure they are effectively managing their
nasal allergies."
Challenge Your Course will provide nasal allergy sufferers with useful
tips including:
-- Keep windows closed to prevent pollens or molds from drifting into your
home
-- Use air conditioners as much as possible to clean, cool and dry the air
in your home
-- Try to avoid being outside on days when pollen count and humidity are
reported to be high, or on windy days when pollen and dust gets blown
around
-- Don't hang your clothes outside to dry, as they may collect pollen and
mold
-- Minimize early morning activities when pollen is usually emitted
-- Avoid mowing your lawn or being around freshly cut grass; mowing stirs
up pollens and mold
-- If you have a pet, keep them out of your bedroom as much as possible to
avoid being exposed to animal dander throughout the night
Challenge Your Course is supported by UCB and sanofi-aventis, the
makers of XYZAL(R) (levocetirizine dihydrochloride).
About XYZAL(R)
Indications and Important Safety Information
XYZAL(R) is indicated for the relief of symptoms associated with
allergic rhinitis (seasonal and perennial) and the treatment of
uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults
and children 6 years of age and older.
The use of XYZAL(R) is contraindicated in: patients with a known
hypersensitivity to levocetirizine or any of the ingredients of XYZAL(R) or
to cetirizine (observed reactions range from urticaria to anaphylaxis);
patients with end-stage renal impairment at less than 10 mL/min creatinine
clearance or patients undergoing hemodialysis; and pediatric patients aged
6 to 11 years with impaired renal function.
Patients should be cautioned against engaging in hazardous occupations
requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination, such as
operating machinery or driving a motor vehicle, after ingestion of
XYZAL(R). Concurrent use of XYZAL(R) with alcohol or other central nervous
system (CNS) depressants should be avoided because additional reductions in
alertness and additional impairment of CNS performance may occur.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions in greater than
or equal to 2% of adult and adolescent patients (12 years of age and older)
taking XYZAL(R) 2.5 mg, XYZAL(R) 5 mg, or placebo were somnolence (5%, 6%,
2%), nasopharyngitis (6%, 4%, 3%), fatigue (1%, 4%, 2%), dry mouth (3%, 2%,
1%), and pharyngitis (2%, 1%, 1%), respectively.
In clinical trials, the most common adverse reactions in greater than
or equal to 2% of pediatric patients (6-12 years of age) taking XYZAL(R) 5
mg included pyrexia (4% vs 2% placebo), cough (3% vs < 1% placebo),
somnolence (3% vs < 1% placebo), and epistaxis (2% vs < 1% placebo).
Please visit http://www.XYZAL.com for full prescribing information.
About Allergic Conditions
Many people suffer from the symptoms associated with common allergic
conditions. The immune system of allergy sufferers over-reacts to something
in the environment, leading to symptoms that affect their respiratory
system, eyes, or skin. Experts estimate indoor and outdoor allergies affect
as many as 40 million people in the United States.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), commonly referred to as "hay fever"
or "outdoor allergies," is the most common form of allergic rhinitis. By
definition, SAR includes allergies to seasonal pollens like grass, trees,
and weeds, as well as mold. Perennial Allergic Rhinitis (PAR) is sometimes
referred to as "year round" or "indoor allergies" and is characterized by
allergic symptoms that last longer than four weeks. House dust mites,
animal dander, and mold most commonly trigger PAR. Chronic Idiopathic
Urticaria (CIU) is most commonly known as "chronic hives of unknown origin"
and is defined as the occurrence of daily, or almost daily, wheals and
itching for at least six weeks with no obvious causes.
About UCB
UCB is a global leader in the biopharmaceutical industry dedicated to
the research, development and commercialization of innovative
pharmaceutical and biotechnology products in the fields of central nervous
system disorders, allergy/respiratory diseases, immune and inflammatory
disorders and oncology. Employing approximately 12,000 people in more than
40 countries, UCB achieved revenue of $4.6 billion (3.5 billion euro) in
2006 on a pro forma basis. UCB is listed on the Euronext Brussels Exchange.
Worldwide headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium; U.S. headquarters
is located in Atlanta, Georgia. For more information about UCB, visit
http://www.ucb-group.com.
About sanofi-aventis
Sanofi-aventis, a leading global pharmaceutical company, discovers,
develops and distributes therapeutic solutions to improve the lives of
everyone. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York
(NYSE: SNY).
About AAFA
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), http://www.aafa.org, is
the leading nonprofit consumer and patient organization fighting asthma and
allergic diseases. AAFA provides free consumer information, patient
education, and funding for research to find cures.
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Lynn Duran
UCB
Mobile: 678-571-0116
Email: lynn.duran@ucb-group.com
Susan Brooks
sanofi-aventis
Phone: 908-981-6566
Email: Susan.Brooks@sanofi-aventis.com
SOURCE sanofi-aventis
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Related links:
http://www.sanofi-aventis.us
http://www.sanofi-aventis
http://www.ChallengeYourCourse.com
http://www.ucb-group.com http://www.XYZAL.com
http://www.aafa.org
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/232375.html /
CONTACT:
Lynn Duran of UCB, +1-678-571-0116,
lynn.duran@ucb-group.com; or Susan Brooks of sanofi-aventis,
+1-908-981-6566, Susan.Brooks@sanofi-aventis.com
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