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Wednesday February 28 10:17 AM ET
Once-Weekly Prozac Approved by FDA
By Edward Winnick
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) (FDA) has approved a once-weekly formulation of Eli Lilly's Prozac (fluoxetine) for the treatment of depression.
According to the Indianapolis, Indiana-based drug firm, Prozac Weekly is the first and only prescription drug indicated for weekly administration in patients being treated for long-term depression. Specifically, the drug is indicated for patients whose depressive symptoms have stabilized and who require continuing treatment to prevent a relapse or return of symptoms.
``We believe Prozac Weekly may help patients maintain their wellness while reducing the chance they will relapse,'' said Dr. Gary D. Tollefson, vice president of Lilly Research Laboratories.
The once-weekly formulation consists of 90 milligrams of fluoxetine with an enteric coating that delays release of the ingredient into the bloodstream. Prozac Weekly comes in a package that contains a 4-week supply of the drug. According to the Lilly spokesperson, the net wholesale price for Prozac Weekly is $63, compared with $71.26 for a month's supply of the 20 milligram daily pill.
Lilly anticipates that Prozac Weekly will be available in pharmacies early next month.
Lilly's patent protection for its daily Prozac is set to expire in August of this year, at which time Barr Laboratories intends to launch a generic 20 milligram fluoxetine product.
Once-Weekly Prozac Approved by FDA
By Edward Winnick
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The US Food and Drug Administration (news - web sites) (FDA) has approved a once-weekly formulation of Eli Lilly's Prozac (fluoxetine) for the treatment of depression.
According to the Indianapolis, Indiana-based drug firm, Prozac Weekly is the first and only prescription drug indicated for weekly administration in patients being treated for long-term depression. Specifically, the drug is indicated for patients whose depressive symptoms have stabilized and who require continuing treatment to prevent a relapse or return of symptoms.
``We believe Prozac Weekly may help patients maintain their wellness while reducing the chance they will relapse,'' said Dr. Gary D. Tollefson, vice president of Lilly Research Laboratories.
The once-weekly formulation consists of 90 milligrams of fluoxetine with an enteric coating that delays release of the ingredient into the bloodstream. Prozac Weekly comes in a package that contains a 4-week supply of the drug. According to the Lilly spokesperson, the net wholesale price for Prozac Weekly is $63, compared with $71.26 for a month's supply of the 20 milligram daily pill.
Lilly anticipates that Prozac Weekly will be available in pharmacies early next month.
Lilly's patent protection for its daily Prozac is set to expire in August of this year, at which time Barr Laboratories intends to launch a generic 20 milligram fluoxetine product.
