New data presented this week suggest that Lundbeck’s flagship antidepressant Cipralex is effective and well tolerated in the treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) with encouraging rates of remission and relapse prevention.
The results of the 24-week clinical trial, unveiled at the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) Congress in Paris yesterday – found that both 10mg and 20mg doses tested were effective in tackling OCD symptoms. Moreover, at the higher dose Cipralex (escitalopram) was significantly quicker than placebo in providing relief to OCD patients, and was associated with higher response and remission rates.
Meanwhile, data from a second study presented at the ECNP also found that Cipralex was superior to placebo in extending the time to relapse. After 16 weeks’ treatment with Cipralex and a 24-week post-treatment observation phase, 52% of patients on placebo had relapsed, compared to 23% of the Cipralex group.
Lundbeck submitted Cipralex for approval in OCD in Europe in late April, using the mutual recognition procedure with sweden acting as the reference member state.
