Data Show FLECTOR(R) Patch Yields Significant Pain Reduction for Acute Strains, Sprains and ...( Patch Formulation May Provide New O...),Health

Patch Formulation May Provide New Option for Clinicians Concerned About

Systemic Exposure When Using an Oral NSAID

TAMPA, Fla., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alpharma Inc. (NYSE: ALO), a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company, announced today that two studies to be presented this week at the American Pain Society annual meeting demonstrate the efficacy, tolerability and positive pharmacokinetic profile of Alpharma Pharmaceuticals' FLECTOR(R) Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3%, the first and only prescription anti-inflammatory pain relief patch in the United States. FLECTOR(R) Patch has been available since January in the United States for the topical treatment of acute pain due to minor strains, sprains and contusions.

Results of one study, to be presented Friday, May 9, show that FLECTOR(R) Patch offered greater pain reduction and resolution of pain versus placebo patch. Results of another study, to be presented Thursday, May 8, demonstrate that the systemic exposure to diclofenac, or amount of active drug circulating in the bloodstream, with FLECTOR(R) Patch used topically every 12 hours over a period of four days was approximately 1 percent of a single 50-mg oral dose of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) Voltaren(R) (diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets).

"Many physicians and patients would prefer a targeted approach to treating pain at the site of an injury, for a number of reasons," said Joseph W. Stauffer, D.O., Chief Medical Officer, Senior Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs, Alpharma Pharmaceuticals. "In addition to supporting the effectiveness of FLECTOR(R) Patch in reducing pain, these data confirm that the targeted delivery of FLE
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