Epilepsy Foundation Welcomes New Treatment for Specific Seizure Types

LANDOVER, MD – The Epilepsy Foundation welcomes a new treatment, availabe available today for people with epilepsy and seizures living in the United States. Qudexy^TM XR is a once-daily, broad-spectrum anti-seizure drug specifically engineered to deliver a smooth pharmacokinetic profile, which means the drug enters, is used by and leaves a person’s body in a steady and consistent way. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 2014 as initial monotherapy (medicine used on its own) in patients 10 years of age and older with partial-onset seizures (POS) or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures. It was also approved as adjunctive therapy (medicine used in combination with other medicines) in patients two years of age and older with POS, primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures and seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The capsule contents of all strengths may be sprinkled onto a spoonful of soft food.

“We are dedicated to helping bring new therapies to market in a timeframe that matters,” said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “New treatments like Qudexy^TM XR give new hope to large parts of the epilepsy community who still live with difficult to control seizures.”

Qudexy^TM XR, manufactured by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc, is available in 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg extended-release capsules. For more, visit:  http://www.epilepsy.com/medications/topiramate-xr

About Epilepsy

When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they have epilepsy, which affects more than 2 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people in our country will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, four out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.

About the Epilepsy Foundation

The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with 48 affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is to stop seizures and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), find a cure and overcome the challenges created by epilepsy through efforts including education, advocacy and research to accelerate ideas into therapies. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsy.com.

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