Alliance Pharma has announced the launch of Xonvea in the UK to treat nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) in women who do not respond to conservative management.
Xonvea is a fixed-dose combination of 10mg doxylamine succinate (histamine H1 receptor antagonist) and 10mg pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6 pro-drug) formulated as lactose-free, gastro-resistant, delayed-release tablets specifically for the treatment of the condition.
NVP is one of the most common reasons for pregnant women to be admitted to hospital. In 2016/17, there were 33,071 hospital admissions for NVP in England, resulting in 36,171 bed days, while a recent study estimated that the condition could cost the NHS in the UK up to £62.3 million per year.
“We hope that Xonvea will enable many more women with NVP, whose symptoms persist despite conservative measures, to be effectively managed in a community setting,” said Peter Butterfield, the firm’s chief executive.
“I am delighted that at last the UK has a licensed medication for the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy where conservative treatment has failed,” added Professor Catherine Nelson0Piercy, consultant obstetric physician.
“Primary and secondary care doctors caring for pregnant women in the UK are now able to prescribe Xonvea, affording women in the UK a licensed option when it comes to managing this often debilitating condition.”