Upsher-Smith Laboratories, In Conjunction With National Epilepsy Awareness Month, Launches New Website For People Affected By Seizure Clusters, A Rare Seizure Pattern

MAPLE GROVE, Minn., Nov. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In conjunction with National Epilepsy Awareness Month (NEAM), Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc. (Upsher-Smith) is launching a new website, www.seizureclustersconnect.com, for patients and caregivers to learn more about living with seizure clusters, a rare seizure pattern experienced by some people with epilepsy.  The website includes information about seizure clusters and certain seizure disorders, tips for staying independent, an events calendar and resources that may help healthcare professionals educate and counsel patients about living with seizure clusters.  

Seizure clusters are seizures that happen one after the other over a short period of time.  There is a recovery period between each seizure and a pattern that is different from the usual seizure pattern. 

"Upsher-Smith is very pleased to offer this additional resource to our seizure clusters community during National Epilepsy Awareness Month," said Gregory P. Gilmet, MD, MPH, Senior Medical Director, Medical Affairs, Upsher-Smith.  "Earlier this year, we launched a Seizure Clusters Connect Facebook page, Twitter handle and YouTube channel so that patients and caregivers have a community of support now with the website, we are excited to be able to offer another resource that the seizure cluster community can turn to for support and information."

"The new Seizure Clusters Connect website is a welcome resource for my patients," said James Wheless, MD, Professor and Chair, Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Tennessee.  "The information on the site includes valuable resources that help me educate and counsel my patients about living with seizure clusters."

The new Seizure Clusters Connect website includes the following helpful information:

• Seizure Clusters 101: Patients and caregivers can learn the basics about seizure clusters, including: What are Seizure Clusters?, Seeking Help for Seizure Clusters and Terms to Know.
• Living with Epilepsy: Provides support and information to help patients learn about choices and changes that can be made to help stay on track with the activities of daily living. Topics include transportation, housing and awareness.
• Resource Center: Offers helpful links to patient education and counseling tools for healthcare professionals; a video gallery featuring leading experts, parents and other people living with seizure clusters; an advocacy group directory with national and regional organizations that patients and caregivers can turn to for support; and a Seizure Clusters Connect blog that highlights shared ideas and experiences from people living with seizure clusters and their families, medical experts and advocacy group leaders.
• Events Calendar: Features upcoming events that offer support for people living with seizure clusters and their families.

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a medical condition that is characterized by recurrent seizures.  More than two million people in the U.S. are estimated to be affected by epilepsy, with about 150,000 new cases of epilepsy diagnosed each year.¹  Epilepsy can be associated with profound physical, psychological and social consequences that negatively impact people's lives.

About Seizure Clusters

Seizure clusters, also referred to as acute repetitive seizures or bouts of increased seizure activity, consist of multiple seizures which occur over a relatively brief period of time with a pattern distinguishable from the patient's usual seizure pattern.²  

Reports of seizure cluster prevalence vary, but it has been estimated that approximately 22% of the intractable epilepsy population (approximately 152,000 people) experience them. ^3,4,5,6  

About Upsher-Smith

Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc., founded in 1919, is a growing pharmaceutical company dedicated to its mission of Advancing Pharmacotherapy. Improving Life.  With capabilities ranging from early-stage research to delivering on-market products, Upsher-Smith is committed to offering quality products that enable people to live life to its greatest potential.  Upsher-Smith's approach to product development and partnering has resulted in a broad range of both branded and generic therapeutic solutions to address patients' needs.  The Company has a particular focus on developing therapies for people living with central nervous system (CNS) conditions, such as seizure disorders, and has a robust pipeline of promising CNS compounds in various stages of development.  For more information, visit www.upsher-smith.com.

References

1. Epilepsy.com. Available at: http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-statistics.  Accessed April 16, 2014.
2. Dreifuss FE, Rosman NP, Cloyd JC, et al. A comparison of rectal diazepam gel and placebo for acute repetitive seizures. N Engl J Med. 1998;338:1869-75.
3. Kobau R, Zahran H, Thurman DJ, et al. Epilepsy Surveillance Among Adults 19 States, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2005.  MMWR.  2008;57:SS-6.
4. Kwan P, Brodie MJ. Early Identification of Refractory Epilepsy. N Engl J Med. 2000;342:314-319.
5. Berg AT, Vickrey BG, Testa FM, et al. How long does it take for epilepsy to become intractable? A prospective investigation. Annals of Neurology. 2006;60:73-79.
6. Haut SR, Lipton RB, LeValley AJ, et al. Identifying seizure clusters in patients with epilepsy. Neurology. 2005 October 25;65(8):1313-1315.

SOURCE Upsher-Smith