Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - October 16, 2000
"It is well-established that anorexia and cachexia -- weight loss in patients with chronic illness -- are directly associated with survival rates in patients with HIV infection and cancer," said Alvan Fisher, MD, Medical Director of the Coastal Medical/Reservoir in Providence, Rhode Island and Associate Director of the Brown University AIDS Program.
"These conditions affect up to 87% of patients with malignant disease. They are involved in 80% of all cancer deaths. Cachexia is the cause of death in 22% of all cancer patients."
Dr. Fisher presented study data on the prevalence of wasting -- the unintentional loss of at least 10% of normal weight -- in HIV/AIDS patients. In a recent study of HIV patients taking highly active antiretroviral therapy, 42% experienced clinical wasting.
"With so many HIV/AIDS and cancer patients experiencing weight-loss, it is critical that care providers regularly monitor the nutritional status of their patients. Because weight loss can be a sign that a patient's overall condition is deteriorating, we need to identify early-on any appetite and weight loss before they become clinically significant -- particularly in patients taking chemotherapy and antiretroviral therapy," said Dr. Fisher.
When anorexia/cachexia or wasting is diagnosed, early implementation of clinical approaches to managing malnutrition is recommended. Effective interventions for managing malnutrition include patient counseling, dietary supplementation, prophylaxis, exercise and drug therapy. Combinations of these interventions can improve survival and have an important impact on patient quality-of-life.
Anabolic agents and appetite stimulants are two common categories of pharmacologic agents administered to treat wasting and weight loss in people with cancer and HIV/AIDS. Anabolic agents increase muscle mass. Appetite stimulants, such as MARINOL(R) (dronabinol) and Megace(R) (megestrol acetate) help patients to increase appetite - which helps to maintain weight and ensure that patients get the nutrients needed to stay healthy.
Dr. Fisher discussed long-term results of a study examining the appetite stimulation effect of MARINOL versus placebo in 94 HIV/AIDS patients. Results showed that patients taking MARINOL had a significant increase in appetite for up to 12 months. In a study evaluating MARINOL in cancer patients, 13 of 18 patients reported improved appetite and 8 of 9 had increased caloric intake.
"Administering an appetite stimulant, such as MARINOL, not only helps patients to maintain a healthy appetite, it also may alleviate nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy and antiretroviral therapy," commented Dr. Fisher.
MARINOL is marketed by Roxane Laboratories and co-promoted with Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. MARINOL was first introduced onto the market by Roxane in 1986 for the treatment of cancer chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting that is unresponsive to traditional medications. In 1992, the FDA approved a supplemental new drug application for MARINOL for the treatment of appetite loss or anorexia associated with weight loss in AIDS patients. MARINOL is generally well-tolerated with side effects usually being mild and reversed by a lowering of the drug's dose. The most common side effects involve the central nervous system and include sleepiness, dizziness and euphoria (or giddiness). For full prescribing information on Marinol, call (614) 241-4114 or see "Product Information" on the Marinol web site at http://www.marinol.com.
Roxane Laboratories, Inc. (http://www.roxane.com) is a leading manufacturer of ethical human pharmaceutical products with a strong commitment to HIV and palliative care. The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation, (http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com) located in Ridgefield, CT, and is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim worldwide group of companies.
Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., focuses on drugs with multiple indications in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, men's health, HIV and other infectious diseases. Unimed Pharmaceuticals, based in the Chicago, Illinois area, has expertise in ethical drug development, marketing and sales.
Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Marietta, Georgia, is a research-based pharmaceutical company, active in the therapeutic areas of cardiology, gastroenterology, mental health and women's health. It is a member of the worldwide Solvay Group of chemical and pharmaceutical companies, headquartered in Brussels, Belgium.
Megace(R) (megestrol acetate) is a Bristol Myers Squibb product
SOURCE Roxane Laboratories, Inc. Web Site: http://www.marinol.com http://www.roxane.com http://us.boehringer-ingelheim.com
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