HATFIELD, England, November 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

ADEKplus, a nutritional supplement for people with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI), is now available online. PEI results in the inability to digest food properly and therefore insufficient absorption of vital, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.^[1] PEI is commonly found in people with cystic fibrosis, as well as other diseases that affect the pancreas, such as chronic pancreatitis.^[1]

New ADEKplus provides vitamins A, D, E and K in one chewable, pleasant tasting, multivitamin tablet, providing a welcome alternative for people with cystic fibrosis who often need to take multiple vitamin supplements daily, adding to an already overwhelming regime of medication.^[2]

Cystic fibrosis is one of the UK's most common life-threatening inherited diseases, affecting 10,500 people in the UK.^[3] The nutritional needs of people living with cystic fibrosis are far more complex than those of healthy individuals. Sufficient intake of fats, essential fatty acids, proteins, sugars, probiotics and vitamins is essential for digestive health and helping to avoid common complications such as weight loss and chest infections.  

Specifically for people with pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, ADEKplus, launched by Mylan N.V., a leading global pharmaceutical company, provides vitamins A, D, E and K which are essential to body function and overall health:

• Vitamin A - is important for normal vision, bone and tooth formation, the immune system and keeping the intestines healthy^[4]
• Vitamin D - helps to maintain strong bones and teeth. Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin and brittle. People with cystic fibrosis are particularly at risk of bone problems^[4]
• Vitamin E - is one of the main antioxidants. It also keeps red blood cells healthy, fights infection and maintains intestinal health^[4]
• Vitamin K - important for blood clotting and bone health^[4]

"ADEKplus has made life much easier. Having vitamins A, D, E and K together in one tablet has allowed me to rid myself of taking extra vitamin tablets each day, meaning that the mountain of vitamin tablets I take is a little closer to becoming a molehill. It's much more convenient and I know it's providing me with the vitamins I need," said Liz Norton, cystic fibrosis patient at the Brompton Hospital.

Resulting from a single defective gene, cystic fibrosis causes the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, to become clogged with thick sticky mucus resulting in chronic infections and inflammation in the lungs and difficulty digesting food. Only around 10% of people with cystic fibrosis retain any useful pancreatic function, meaning that digestive juices (enzymes) are not secreted into the intestine in order to break down food properly so that the body can use it to stay healthy and produce energy.^[5]

"Despite there still being no cure for cystic fibrosis, we are starting to see improvements in survival rates thanks to advances in treatment and care. This often means taking numerous^[6] tablets per day, as well as measures to prevent cross-infection, a multitude of treatments such as physiotherapy and frequent hospital visits and stays. A body supplied with the correct level of nutrients and operating to the best of its ability is less prone to infection and unwanted weight loss, thus less time in hospital and fewer drugs overall," said Mylan's UK Managing Director, Jean-Yves Brault.

ADEKplus has been formulated in line with the 2013 Royal Brompton Hospital's guidelines which aim to ensure a standard approach to care for adults^[7] and children^[8] with cystic fibrosis. ADEKplus should only be consumed by people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The recommended dose is 1 - 2 tablets per day as directed by a doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. ADEKplus is available online at http://www.adekplus.co.uk. ADEKplus is not intended for children under two years of age unless recommended by a healthcare professional. 

NOTES TO EDITOR 

Cystic Fibrosis 

Cystic fibrosis is a life-threatening, genetic disease that causes persistent lung infections and progressively limits the ability to breathe. In people with cystic fibrosis, a defective gene causes a thick, buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the body to break down food and absorb vital nutrients.^[9] Over 2 million people in the UK carry the faulty gene and around 10,500 people in the UK have cystic fibrosis, that's one in every 2,500 babies born.^[10]

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) 

Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a condition characterized by deficiency of the exocrine pancreatic enzymes, resulting in the inability to digest food properly. EPI is associated with certain diseases and conditions that affect the pancreas such as Cystic Fibrosis.^[11]

ADEKplus  

ADEKplus has been formulated in line with the 2013 Royal Brompton Hospital's guidelines. The purpose of the guidelines is to ensure a standard approach to care for adults and children with cystic fibrosis.

ADEKplus should only be consumed by people with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. The recommended dose is 1 - 2 tablets per day as directed by a doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. ADEKplus is not intended for children under two years of age unless recommended by a healthcare professional.

People taking anti-coagulants (blood thinners) should not take ADEKplus unless advised to by their doctor. ADEKplus cannot be used as a sole source of nutrition. ADEKplus should not be taken by people allergic to any of the ingredients. Any unwanted side effects should be reported to an appropriate healthcare professional.

About Mylan 

Mylan is a global pharmaceutical company committed to setting new standards in healthcare. Working together around the world to provide 7 billion people access to high quality medicine, we innovate to satisfy unmet needs; make reliability and service excellence a habit; do what's right, not what's easy; and impact the future through passionate global leadership. We offer a growing portfolio of more than 2,700 generic and branded pharmaceuticals, including antiretroviral therapies on which approximately 50% of people being treated for HIV/AIDS worldwide depend. We market our products in more than 165 countries and territories. Our global R&D and manufacturing platform includes more than 50 facilities, and we are one of the world's largest producers of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Every member of our more than 40,000-strong workforce is dedicated to creating better health for a better world, one person at a time. Learn more at mylan.com.

References 

1. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. The National Pancreas Foundation. https://www.pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/ailments-pancreas/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/ Last accessed October 2016. 

2. Data on file, Mylan N.V. 

3. Frequently Asked Questions. Cystic Fibrosis Trust. https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/what-is-cystic-fibrosis/faqs#basics  Last accessed October 2016. 

4. Vitamins. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://www.cff.org/Living-with-CF/Treatments-and-Therapies/Nutrition/Vitamins/ Last accessed October 2016. 

5. Nutrition. Cystic Fibrosis Trust.  https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/life-with-cystic-fibrosis/cystic-fibrosis-care/nutrition  Last accessed October 2016. 

6. NHS Choices. Treating Cystic Fibrosis. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/cystic-fibrosis/Pages/treatment.aspx#medicines  Last accessed October 2016 

7. Care of Adults with Cystic Fibrosis (2013), Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust. http://www.rbht.nhs.uk/healthprofessionals/clinical-departments/cystic-fibrosis/clinical-guidelines/ Last accessed October 2016. 

8. Care of Children with Cystic Fibrosis (2014), Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust. http://www.rbht.nhs.uk/healthprofessionals/clinical-departments/paediatrics/childrencf/ 

9. About Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. https://www.cff.org/What-is-CF/About-Cystic-Fibrosis/ Last accessed October 2016. 

10. What is Cystic Fibrosis? Cystic Fibrosis Trust. https://www.cysticfibrosis.org.uk/what-is-cystic-fibrosis Last accessed October 2016. 

11. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. The National Pancreas Foundation. https://www.pancreasfoundation.org/patient-information/ailments-pancreas/exocrine-pancreatic-insufficiency/ Last accessed October 2016. 

Date of Preparation : Nov 2016

Ref: NON-2016-1116

SOURCE Mylan