Johnson & Johnson officials discussed new indications for Topamax - Brief Article

Drug Cost Management Report, July 25, 2003

* Johnson & Johnson officials discussed new indications for Topamax (topiramate), during a conference call on the company's second quarter 2003 earnings. Topamax is a widely prescribed drug with indications for seizure disorders and bipolar disorder. With its recent launch of Axert for migraine headaches, the company is entering the migraine market, but its bigger plans are for Topamax as a preventive therapy for migraines.

Data presented at a recent meeting of the American Headache Society showed that 52% of patients had a 50% or greater reduction in the number of migraines when treated with 100 milligrams of Topamax, 27% had at least a 75% reduction, and 6% had complete elimination of their migraine attacks. Even more exciting for the Topamax team, the product has shown some clinical evidence that it may have metabolic action in diabetics, lowering body weight and normalizing blood sugar levels.