 Dec. 5, 2000---Viadur™, the 1-year leuprolide implant, is now available in Southern California (and other selected U.S. sites) to men with prostate cancer, according to an announcement today by the Bayer Corporation, which markets the product. Viadur, which was developed by ALZA, is a drug-filled, miniature titanium implant that is placed under the skin in the inner aspects of a patient’s upper arm. The product continuously delivers precise levels of leuprolide for a period of one full year, providing an alternative to frequent leuprolide injections. Leuprolide (Lupron™) is the leading product used in the treatment of men with advanced prostate cancer.
 The 1-year formulation was tested at USRF and other institutions across the U.S., and the implant
was approved by the U.S. FDA in Spring, 2000.
Men implanted at USRF are now entering their 3rd year of Viadur therapy. The safety and efficacy of Viadur are detailed in an article by Fowler and associates, published in the May issue of Urology. According to these authors, the 1-year Viadur implant offers
“…an effective alternative to periodic leuprolide
injections—an alternative that helps ensure the
steady serum leuprolide concentrations that facilitate
effective disease management.
Patient satisfaction with the treatment was
very high, and the implant had little effect on their
daily activities. Investigators judged all insertion
procedures and most removal procedures to be
easy.”
The Viadur implant is covered by Medicare.
|
