Boehringer Ingelheim Launches The Novel Anti-epileptic Medication Pexion

A new treatment for canine idiopathic epilepsy has been launched by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. Pexion® is a novel anti-epileptic tablet for dogs that contains the active ingredient imepitoin. This is the first new molecule for this disease area in a number of years. Pexion has a highly targeted mode of action^1-3 to specifically suppress a dog’s seizures. It starts to work within a few hours and reaches steady state within three days^4,5, making it easier to rapidly stabilise epileptic patients. In addition, there is no evidence of hepatotoxicity or liver-associated enzyme elevation, so repeated blood tests for liver enzymes or therapeutic levels are no longer required.^4,5 Pexion is available in 100 mg and 400 mg tablets. The tablets are white, scored and divisible in half. Both tablet strengths are available in 100 tablet packs from veterinary wholesalers. Canine epilepsy can affect up to 5% of dogs⁶. In most dogs diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy no underlying cause for the seizures can be found. While the condition can affect any dog, it is more common in young (one to five year old), purebred dogs such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Boxers, Vizlas, Beagles, English Springer Spaniels, Irish Setters, Poodles and Dachshunds. “Pexion is a ground-breaking new product which gives vets a new first-line treatment option for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, improving the lives of newly diagnosed epileptic dogs and their owners by reducing the number of seizures and their impact on the patient’s life,” comments Jemima Mead, brand manager at Boehringer. The company has recently hosted a complimentary epilepsy webinar at www.bi-academy.co.uk. The event was presented by neurologist Dr Holger Volk DVM PhD DipECVN FHEA MRCVS, recognised RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Neurology. Holger is head of the neurology service at The Royal Veterinary College and he provided veterinary surgeons with up-to-date information on canine epilepsy and management of the condition with Pexion. Entitled ‘Re-thinking canine epilepsy, a new treatment option’ the webinar took place at 8.00pm on Tuesday 23 April and accounted for one hour of CPD. The webinar is available for vets to view ‘on-demand’ via the BI Academy site. For further information on Pexion visit www.pexion.co.uk, contact your local Boehringer Ingelheim territory manager or telephone +44 (0)1344 746959. ReferencesLöscher W et al. Epilepsia 2004; 45: 1228-1239Rieck S et al. Vet J 2006; 172: 86-95Rostock A et al. Drugs Fut. 1998; 23: 253-255Pexion® Summary of Product Characteristics, 2013European Public Assessment Report (EPAR): PEXION (imepitoin). London: European Medicines Agency; 2013 Available at www.ema.europa.euMonteiro R. et al. J Small Anim Pract 2012; 53: 526-530

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