News Release

Study examined switching rates between Allegra® (fexofenadine HCl) and Claritin®

Peer-Reviewed Publication

Porter Novelli

CHICAGO, Il., November 13, 1999 - A higher percentage of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) patients switched to Allegra® (fexofenadine HCl) from Claritin® (loratadine) than vice versa in the spring and fall of 1997 and 1998, according to the results of a study of more than 33,000 patients presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

The findings are based on "Prescribing Patterns of Non-sedating Antihistamines and Daily Dose Differences in a Managed Care Population," a study that evaluated the continuity of allergy treatment by drug and by allergy season (spring, fall 1997- 1998). The retrospective study analyzed data from physicians' claims from 12 United Healthcare health plans.

During the study period, an average of 12.6 percent of patients taking Claritin switched to Allegra versus 10.0 percent of patients who switched from Allegra to Claritin. "Usage data about newer therapies is important for managed care organizations to analyze so they can understand physician and patient preferences," said Lewis Roht, M.D., Director of Drug Surveillance and Epidemiology at Hoechst Marion Roussel.

Other Studies
Other data presented at the ACAAI meeting by Hoechst Marion Roussel included:

  • A four-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study which showed that Allegra at doses of 20, 60, 120, and 240 mg reduced pruritus and number of wheals scores over a four-week period for the treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU), also known as hives. The study demonstrated that all doses of Allegra greatly reduced the symptoms compared to placebo (P£0.0115). Additionally, patients who received Allegra experienced significantly less interference with sleep and daily activities than patients who received placebo (P£0.0014). Twice-daily doses of 60 mg or greater were most effective. Adverse events occurred with similar incidence in all treatment groups, with no dose-related increases in any event.

  • A retrospective cohort study of 1997-1998 physician and pharmacy claims data from 12 United Healthcare health plans from 1997-1998 demonstrated the following results:
      -- Of the 158,736 subjects with allergic rhinitis (AR) who were studied, 28.8 percent had SAR and 71.2 percent had perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR).
      -- Roughly three-quarters (73.2 percent) of subjects diagnosed and treated with AR received NSA treatment.
      -- Of the AR subjects who filled a NSA prescription in the spring of 1997, nearly half (46.2 percent) also filled prescriptions in fall 1997 (89.2 percent filled the same brand of NSA).
      -- AR was more prevalent among women than men and more people suffered from AR in the spring of 1998 than the fall of 1997 (3.6 percent vs. 2.9 percent).
  • A study that demonstrated no statistical difference in peripheral H1 blockade (the suppression of medications on histamine-induced skin test reactions) between doses of Allegra® (fexofenadine HCl) 60 mg and 180 mg and terfenadine 60 mg and 180 mg, respectively. Average percent inhibitions of wheal and flare for equivalent milligram doses of Allegra and terfenadine were not statistically different. However, wheal and flare average percent inhibitions were significantly greater for the 180-mg doses compared to the 60-mg doses of both medications.

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Allegra is currently indicated for seasonal allergic rhinitis in patients 12 and older. The side-effect profile of Allegra is similar to that of placebo. The most commonly reported adverse events for Allegra and placebo are cold or flu (2.5% vs. 1.5%), nausea (1.6% vs. 1.5%) and menstrual pain (1.5% vs. 0.3%).

Held in Chicago, IL the annual ACAAI meeting included academic and clinical data from leaders in the fields of allergy, asthma and immunology, and from pharmaceutical companies. Studies were presented in seminars, scientific workshops, symposia, and poster sessions.

Hoechst Marion Roussel USA is a leader in pharmaceutical-based health care, dedicated to moving beyond medicine to healthTM through the discovery and delivery of prescription drugs and the provision of value-added patient support programs. The global headquarters of Hoechst Marion Roussel is in Frankfurt, Germany, and the North American headquarters is in Kansas City, Mo.

Contacts:
Charles F. Rouse III
Hoechst Marion Roussel
816-966-4052

Suzanne Wiele
Porter Novelli
816-966-3475 or Lis Raciti Porter Novelli 212-601-8016

To receive a copy of this news release or any recent release via fax, call Hoechst Marion Roussel's automated news fax line at 800-556-7422, or 816-966-3434. See attached prescribing information or to receive prescribing information, call 800-552-3656, or 816-966-3349, or visit the Hoechst Marion Roussel U.S.A. Web site at http://www.hmri.com.

Statements in this news release other than historical information are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially depending on factors such as the availability of resources, the timing and effects of regulatory actions, the strength of competition, the outcome of litigation, and the effectiveness of patent protection. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties is set forth in the Annual Report on Form 20-F and other documents of Hoechst AG on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Claritin is a registered trademark of Schering Corporation.


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