JERUSALEM — Early next year, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. plans to launch QNASL 40mcg (beclomethasone dipropionate), an allergy nasal spray for young children.
Teva announced Food and Drug Administration approval of the intranasal corticosteroid spray, a lower-dose formulation of QNASL Nasal Aerosol (80 mcg), earlier this month.
QNASL 40 mcg is indicated for the treatment of nasal symptoms from allergic rhinitis in children ages 4 to 11. Teva noted that QNASL 40 mcg, is expected to become available by prescription in February, delivers effective symptom relief at one-fourth of the dosage for adults and is the first and only waterless hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) nasal allergy treatment approved for use in patients as young as 4.
"The approval of QNASL for use in children aged 4 to 11 is an important advancement for an often difficult-to-treat patient group," stated Dr. Todd Mahr, director of pediatric allergy and immunology at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis. "QNASL 40 mcg has several characteristics that provide prescribers with a treatment option specifically designed for children with allergic rhinitis, including its waterless aerosol method of delivery and lower-dose formulation."
QNASL 80 mcg is currently available by prescription for people ages 12 and older for the treatment of nasal symptoms from allergic rhinitis.
"The approval of this lower-dose formulation of QNASL for children reaffirms Teva’s deep-rooted commitment to developing treatment options to help address respiratory conditions among all patient populations," commented Tushar Shah, senior vice president for Teva Global Respiratory Research and Development. "Through the availability of QNASL 40 mcg, we are aiming to aid children and their caregivers in better managing the burdensome symptoms associated with nasal allergies."
