Takeda Launches Ulcer FDC Tablets In Japan

Takeda Pharmaceutical announced the launch of Takelda combination tablets, a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of low-dose aspirin and Takepron (lansoprazole) for peptic ulcers in Japan.

Takelda combination tablets contain 100 mg aspirin and 15 mg of lansoprazole and are the first FDC drug in the country to feature a combination of low-dose aspirin and a proton pump inhibitor. Takelda is indicated to reduce risk of thrombosis and embolism in patients with a history of gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer, among other conditions.

Masato Iwasaki, Director and SVP of 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.”

Taking low-dose aspirin may cause gastric or duodenal ulcers, especially in the elderly and those who take low-dose aspirin to prevent recurrence of cerebral infarction or myocardial infarction. According to “Survey of Medical Care Activities in Public Health Insurance, 2012,” more than 50 percent of patients with cerebral infarction or ischemic heart disease are on five or more different drugs. Takelda offers these patient groups to reduce the number of pills they take while still maintaining their course of treatment.

The company was recently in the news following an approval from the European Commission (EC) for its Marketing Authorization for Entyvio (vedolizumab). Entyvio is a biologic therapy simultaneously approved for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) and those with moderately to severely active Crohn’s disease (CD) who have showed an inadequate response to, loss of response to, or were intolerant to either standard therapy or a TNFα antagonist.