Alamast due to launch

Optometric Management, Apr 2000

NEW OCULAR ALLERGY DRUG

You'll soon have another medication to add to your arsenal of ocular allergy treatments. Santen Inc. will launch its new product, pemirolast potassium (Alamast) this summer.

Approved by the FDA in September of last year, Alamast is the first mast cell stabilizer indicated for the prevention of itch due to allergic conjunctivitis. It's a topical ophthalmic solution and most side effects observed in clinical studies were mild. They included headache, rhinitis and cold/flu symptoms.

Santen President and CEO Jerry Hansen notes, "Alamast will provide physicians and patients with a new treatment for this common condition, as well as pave the way for a complete line of Santen products to enter the U.S. market over the next several years." Alamast is the company's first U.S. approval.