Mylan concocts ready-to-use epilepsy drug variation

Global generic drug manufacturer Mylan ($MYL) has begun selling a version of the anti-epilepsy drug Levetiracetam for intravenous use in a variation intended to be safer and easy to use.

Doses are prepared in 500mg/100mL, 1,000 mg/100mL and 1,500 mg/100mL sizes and packaged in ready-to-use bags--a first-of-its-kind drug-delivery concept for Levetiracetam, new Mylan CEO Heather Bresch said in a statement.

Pre-packaged doses should help ensure more accurate delivery of the drug. A previous version of Levetiracetam for injection was packaged in a vial, not a bag, and sized for 500mg/5mL use, according to Mylan's release.

Bresch said in statement that the new version of Levetiracetam reflects the company's strategy "of expanding Mylan's product portfolio across the generic, specialty and niche market segments."

Delivering accurate dosing for epilepsy drugs is crucial for safety. Since 2008 the FDA has mandated warnings on Levetiracetam and other anti-epileptic medications stating that they can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. The drugs are also used for bipolar disorder and migrane headaches.

Mylan is based in Canonsburg, PA.

- here's the release

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