Takelda® Combination Tablets, the Fixed-Dose Combination of Lansoprazole and Low-Dose Aspirin, is Now Available in Japan

Osaka, Japan, June 12, 2014 --- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (“Takeda”) announced today that Takelda^® combination tablets, a fixed-dose combination (“FDC”) of low-dose aspirin and Takepron^® (generic name: lansoprazole) for peptic ulcers, is now available in Japan. Takelda combination tablets combine 100 mg aspirin with 15 mg lansoprazole and are the first FDC drug in Japan to combine low-dose aspirin with a proton pump inhibitor.

The number of patients taking low-dose aspirin for prevention of the recurrence of cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction is increasing along with the rapidly aging population in Japan. As administration of low-dose aspirin may cause gastric or duodenal ulcers, preventing the onset of ulcers in that patient population is important. Domestic and international guidelines recommend combined administration with a proton pump inhibitor, especially for patients with a history of gastric or duodenal ulcers.

According to Survey of Medical Care Activities in Public Health Insurance, 2012, over half of patients with cerebral infarction or ischemic heart disease take five or more types of medicine. It will now be possible for patients who are currently taking Takepron and low-dose aspirin to reduce the number of pills that they take by switching to Takelda. Furthermore, patients with a history of gastric or duodenal ulcer and take low-dose aspirin will be better able to prevent the development of ulcers without increasing the number of pill that they take.

Masato Iwasaki, Ph.D., Director and Senior Vice President, Pharmaceutical Marketing Division of Takeda said “Patients who had experienced a cardiovascular event need to take low-dose aspirin in the long-term in order to prevent recurrence. We believe Takelda combination tablets can make a contribution to improved drug adherence* among patients who have a history of gastric or duodenal ulcer and are taking low-dose aspirin together with Takepron. We strive to provide patients and medical practitioners with highly convenient therapeutic options.”

^*Patients actively participate in the decision-making of treatment courses or policies, and the treatment is implemented and continued accordingly.

References

# # #