19 April 2006 - New YAZ® Oral Contraceptive Available in the United States
Wayne, NJ, April 19, 2006 - Berlex Inc. announced that YAZ® Oral contraceptives continue to be the most widely used method As with Yasmin®, the number one prescribed brand of birth "Today's oral contraceptives have been refined to include * The 2004 Gallup Study of Women's Health & Contraception YAZ contains 3 mg of the progestin drospirenone that has Berlex, a U.S. affiliate of Schering AG, Germany (FSE: SCH;
(3 mg drospirenone/20 mcg ethinyl estradiol), the first pill to
combine 20 mcg of ethinyl estradiol with the innovative
progestin drospirenone (drsp) in a 24-day active hormone pill
regimen, is available in pharmacies nationwide. The 24-day
active hormone pill regimen combined with the 30-hour half-life
of drospirenone results in less hormonal fluctuation between
cycles than traditional OCs.
of birth control in the U.S., and their use has steadily increased
since 1995. According to a recent Gallup Survey,* 36 percent of
women aged 18-49 who use birth control take oral
contraceptives. However, not all birth control pills are alike.
Recent advancements over older oral contraceptives include
lower doses of estrogen, newer progestins and new dosing
regimens. Today, women have more options available to meet
their own specific and personal contraceptive needs.
control pill worldwide, YAZ contains the innovative progestin
drospirenone (drsp). Drospirenone exhibits antimineralocorticoid
and antiandrogenic** properties unlike any other progestin
available in oral contraceptives.
combinations of hormones and new dosing regimens designed to better fit a woman’s individualized needs," said CarolynWesthoff, M.D., Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Director of Family Planning and Preventive Services, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. "YAZ is an exciting new oral contraceptive because you get three additional days of drospirenone plus a low dose of ethinyl estradiol in a 24-day active pill regimen. This unique combination in YAZ helps hormone levels stay even, which may be an additional important new benefit for many women," she added.
Methods, conducted by Multi-sponsor Surveys, Inc
** Antiandrogenic activity seen in preclinical studies.
Important Information about YAZ
antimineralocorticoid activity, including the potential for
hyperkalemia in high-risk patients, comparable to a 25-mg dose
of spironolactone. YAZ should not be used in patients with
conditions that predispose to hyperkalemia (i.e., renal
insufficiency, hepatic dysfunction, or adrenal insufficiency).
Women receiving daily, long-term treatment for chronic
conditions or diseases with medications that may increase serum potassium should have their serum potassium levels checked during the first treatment cycle. Medications that may increase serum potassium include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-ll receptor antagonists, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplementation medications, aldosterone antagonists and NSAIDs.
OCs do not protect against HIV infection and other sexually
transmitted diseases. The use of OCs is associated with
increased risks of several serious side effects. Cigarette smoking
increases the risk of serious cardiovascular side effects; women
who take OCs are strongly advised not to smoke.
Information for Consumers
Women who would like to learn more about YAZ should call the
toll-free number 1-888-BERLEX-4 or visit www.yaz-us.com.
About Berlex
NYSE: SHR), is committed to addressing unmet medical needs
through research and development in the areas of oncology,
gastroenterology, women's health, diagnostics and neurology.
Berlex also markets diagnostic imaging agents, innovative
treatments in the areas of female health care and oncology, as
well as specialized therapeutics for life-threatening and disabling
diseases of the central nervous system and cardiovascular
system. Berlex has business operations in New Jersey, California
and Washington. For more information, please visit
www.berlex.com
Certain statements in this press release that are neither
reported financial results nor other historical information are
forward-looking statements, including but not limited to,
statements that are predictions of or indicate future events,
trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed
on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected
by other factors that could cause actual results and Berlex's
plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. Berlex, Inc.
undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any of
these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new
information or future events or circumstances or otherwise.
Berlex Contacts
Joanne Marion
973-487-2164
Rose Talarico
973-305-5302
