LEVAQUIN® Granted Additional Six Months Of Marketing Exclusivity By FDA

Raritan, NJ - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted LEVAQUIN® (levofloxacin) an additional six months of marketing exclusivity, known as “pediatric exclusivity.” The action attaches to the U.S. patent covering LEVAQUIN®, extending exclusivity from December 2010 to June 2011. This decision was based on five, company-sponsored pediatric studies conducted at the request of the FDA.

The studies included trials to determine the pharmacokinetic profile and the efficacy and safety of LEVAQUIN® in children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and recurrent and/or persistent acute otitis media. The studies were conducted in close collaboration with leaders in the pediatric and infectious disease communities and in consultation with the FDA. LEVAQUIN® is not indicated for use in children and adolescents (under 18 years of age).

Since its U.S. introduction in 1996, LEVAQUIN® has gained widespread use in the treatment of adults for a variety of bacterial infections caused by specific pathogens1, including: acute bacterial sinusitis, acute bacterial exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, nosocomial pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, complicated and uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections (mild to moderate), chronic bacterial prostatitis, complicated and uncomplicated urinary tract infections (mild to moderate) and acute pyelonephritis (mild to moderate).

LEVAQUIN® is available in 250 mg, 500 mg and 750 mg doses in both oral and I.V. formulations. The safety profile of LEVAQUIN® is similar across doses. LEVAQUIN® is marketed to healthcare providers by Ortho-McNeil, Inc., and PriCara, Unit of Ortho-McNeil, Inc.

Important Safety Information

The most common drug-related adverse events in U.S. clinical trials were nausea (1.5%) and diarrhea (1.2%). The safety and efficacy of LEVAQUIN® in pediatric patients, adolescents (under 18), pregnant women, and nursing mothers have not been established. LEVAQUIN® is contraindicated in persons with a history of hypersensitivity to LEVAQUIN®, quinolone antimicrobial agents, or any other components of this product. Serious and occasionally fatal events, such as hypersensitivity and/or anaphylactic reactions, as well as some of unknown etiology have been reported in patients receiving therapy with quinolones, including LEVAQUIN®.

These reactions may occur following the first dose or multiple doses. The drug should be discontinued at the first appearance of a skin rash or any other sign of hypersensitivity.

As with other quinolones, LEVAQUIN® should be used with caution in patients with known or suspected central nervous system disorders, peripheral neuropathy, or in patients who have a predisposition to seizures.

Tendon ruptures that required surgical repair or resulted in prolonged disability have been reported in patients receiving quinolones, including LEVAQUIN®, during and after therapy. This risk may be increased in patients receiving concomitant corticosteroids, especially the elderly. The quinolone should be discontinued in patients experiencing pain, inflammation, or rupture of a tendon.

Some quinolones, including LEVAQUIN®, have been associated with prolongation of the QT interval, infrequent cases of arrhythmia, and rare cases of torsades de pointes. LEVAQUIN® should be avoided in patients with known risk factors such as prolongation of the QT interval, patients with uncorrected hypokalemia, and patients receiving class IA (quinidine, procainamide), or class III (amiodarone, sotalol) antiarrhythmic agents.

Antacids containing magnesium or aluminum, as well as sucralfate, metal cations such as iron, and multivitamin preparations with zinc, or Videx®* (didanosine) chewable/buffered tablets or the pediatric powder for oral solution, should be taken at least two hours before or two hours after LEVAQUIN® administration.

For information on Warnings, Precautions, and additional Adverse Reactions that may occur, regardless of drug relationship, please see full Prescribing Information at www.levaquin.com.