Available free-of-charge to people across the U.S., the Frommer-authored guide is the centerpiece of a new educational campaign designed to help the more than 33 million people with OAB in the United States build confidence about traveling close to and far from home -- instead of limiting travel because of their condition. The first-of-its-kind 75-page guide highlights key restaurants, museums, and other tourist attractions in 19 U.S. cities and four national parks, providing an easy-to-follow list of restroom locations. To obtain a free copy of Where to Stop & Where to Go, consumers can call toll-free 1-877-STOP-GO-5 (1-877-786-7465) or log onto www.WheretoStopWheretoGo.com.
"While researching this guide, I experienced firsthand what traveling with overactive bladder is like – needing to ask strangers about locating a restroom or trying to persuade a salesperson to give me access to their facilities – all while time is of the essence," said Frommer, the campaign's spokesperson. "It quickly became clear that we could do a lot to alleviate stress and anxiety by getting those questions answered for people with overactive bladder. That is why this campaign is so important."
The campaign website, www.WheretoStopWheretoGo.com, also provides:
- Helpful tips on traveling with OAB, such as "look for a major nationwide retail chain" as many appear to maintain public restrooms as a matter of national policy;
- A downloadable "Stop & Go" card -- a wallet-sized "bathroom pass" that offers people with OAB a quick and easy way to explain their need to use the restroom while traveling;
- Links to additional information and resources on OAB.
Adults with OAB often limit daily activities, such as travel and shopping, due to symptoms that include urinary urgency (having a strong need to go to the bathroom right away), frequency (having to go to the bathroom too often), and incontinence (sudden/involuntary loss of bladder control). In fact, recent market research shows that travel is second only to sleep among the activities that OAB patients say are impacted by their condition.
In a recent survey of 215 OAB sufferers, more than half of the patients currently being treated for their OAB still experienced symptoms including urinary frequency and wetting accidents.
"With or without treatment, many people with overactive bladder still shape their lives around their need to be near a restroom, which can severely hinder even local trips to museums or shops," said Pamela Ellsworth, MD, chief, Division of Urology in the Department of Surgery, University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center. "Our hope is that by combining use of effective medication with tools such as Where to Stop & Where to Go to better manage the condition, patients may be able to enjoy some of the things they may have been missing."
Enablex is indicated for the treatment of OAB with symptoms of urge urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency. Enablex is a potent muscarinic receptor antagonist that helps reduce incontinence episodes, increases the amount of urine that the bladder can hold, and decreases the pressure or urgency associated with the urge to urinate. It offers a unique M3 profile with sustained efficacy and low rates of central nervous system and cardiovascular side effects. Enablex works by blocking the M3 receptor that is primarily responsible for bladder muscle contraction.
Enablex has been studied in 98 clinical trials involving more than 10,500 people. In clinical trials, the most frequently reported adverse events with Enablex were dry mouth, constipation, dyspepsia and abdominal pain; however, patient discontinuation rates due to these events were low. The majority of adverse events in Enablex-treated subjects were mild or moderate and mostly occurred during the first two weeks of treatment. As with other OAB medications, Enablex is contraindicated in patients with urinary retention, gastric retention or uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma and in patients who are at risk for these conditions. Enablex is also contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug or its ingredients.
Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation researches, develops, manufactures and markets leading innovative prescription drugs used to treat a number of diseases and conditions, including central nervous system disorders, organ transplantation, cardiovascular diseases, dermatological diseases, respiratory disorders, cancer and arthritis. The company's mission is to improve people's lives by pioneering novel healthcare solutions.
Located in East Hanover, New Jersey, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) – a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2004, the Novartis Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 28.2 billion and pro forma net income of USD 5.6 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 4.2 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ approximately 81,400 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.
Editor's Note: Full prescribing information is available at www.enablex.com or by contacting Kate O'Connor of Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation at (862) 778-5588 or via e-mail at kate.oconnor@novartis.com.
Contacts
Kate O'Connor
Novartis Pharma Communications
Tel +1 862 778 5588
or +1 917 446 7400
kate.oconnor@novartis.com