Bristol, Tennessee (PRWEB) September 21, 2009

A new survey from the American Pain Foundation (APF) says economic pain from the recession is contributing to acute (short-term) physical pain for Americans.1 In response to these findings, King Pharmaceuticals®, Inc. has launched a consumer education initiative with RealAge.com to provide tips and information on preventing and treating strains and sprains of the back and other areas.

The educational program can be found at http://www.RealAge.com/StrainsAndSprains.

According to the APF survey, 68% of 1267 people who experienced acute back pain or other minor muscle strains or sprains in the past year said that the recession played a role, in part because of greater stress and working harder at home and on the job.1

“More work on the job and around the house can stress our bodies and contribute to injuries like strains and sprains to the back or other areas,” said Dr Michael Roizen, RealAge.com founder and chief wellness officer of Cleveland Clinic. “In many cases, prevention can be just a matter of listening to your body, knowing when to take a break, and moving your joints and muscles properly. Minor strains and sprains are common but should not be taken lightly, so it’s important to see a doctor to get proper treatment and make sure it’s not something more serious.”

Minor strains and sprains can cause pain, swelling, and limited or loss of motion of the affected area – and the impact is significant. For example, according to a 2005 report by the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, strains and sprains were reported as the leading injury or illness in every major industry, accounting for 41% of all workplace injuries or illnesses requiring days away from work.2 Returning to normal activities before the injury is properly healed increases the chances of reinjury and can lead to a chronic problem.3

“Because strains and sprains are common, people can underestimate their possible long-term effects, especially if not properly treated,” said Dr Bruce Thomas, Medical Director for the Ladies Professional Golf Association and Assistant Professor of Sports Medicine/Family Practice at Florida State University. “When in doubt, patients should always contact a healthcare professional for advice. Treatment for minor strains and sprains may include rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) either orally or in a topical patch, such as FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3%, which delivers an NSAID directly to the site of acute (short-term) pain.”3

King Pharmaceuticals markets FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3%, the first and only prescription acute pain relief patch available in the United States that contains an NSAID.4,5 The patch is used for the topical treatment of acute (short-term) pain due to minor strains, sprains, and contusions (bruises).4

About FLECTOR® Patch

Each FLECTOR® Patch contains 180 mg of diclofenac epolamine, an NSAID, the same class of drugs that includes ibuprofen and naproxen. These drugs relieve pain. FLECTOR® Patch releases its active ingredient locally through the skin at the site of acute pain. The medication in pills or capsules, which are taken by mouth, is absorbed through the stomach and digestive tract and then spread throughout the body.

FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3% is used for the topical treatment of acute (short-term) pain due to minor strains, sprains, and contusions (bruises).

FLECTOR® Patch is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Use FLECTOR® Patch exactly as your healthcare professional told you. Do not use more. Do not use for a longer time.

Important Safety Information

· NSAIDs may increase the chance of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. This chance increases

o With longer use of NSAID medicines

o In people who have heart disease

· NSAID medicines should never be used right before or after a heart surgery called “coronary artery bypass graft” (CABG)

· NSAID medicines can cause ulcers and bleeding in the stomach and intestines at any time during treatment. These can happen without symptoms and may cause death. The chance of a person getting an ulcer or bleeding increases with

o Taking blood thinning medicines or medicines called steroids

o Longer use

o Smoking

o Drinking alcohol

o Older age

o Having poor health

Do not use FLECTOR® Patch if you know you are allergic to diclofenac or have had an asthma attack, hives, or other allergic reactions when taking aspirin or another NSAID medicine.

FLECTOR® Patch should not be applied to broken or damaged skin due to any cause, such as cuts, burns, infected wound, or rash with oozing fluid.

Before using FLECTOR® Patch (diclofenac epolamine topical patch) 1.3%, tell your healthcare professional about the following:

· Any and all other health or medical problems you may have

· All other medications (prescription and nonprescription) you are taking Do not take other medicines without your healthcare professional’s approval

· If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. NSAID medicines should not be used by pregnant women late in their pregnancy

· If you are breast-feeding

Get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: shortness of breath or trouble breathing, chest pain, weakness in one part or side of your body, slurred speech, or swelling of the face or throat. Stop using FLECTOR® Patch and call your healthcare professional right away if you have any of the following symptoms: nausea, more tired or weaker than usual, itching, your skin or eyes look yellow, stomach pain, flu-like symptoms, vomit blood, bowel movement contains blood or is black and sticky like tar, unusual weight gain, skin rash or blisters with fever, or swelling of the arms, legs, hands, or feet.

The most common side effects seen with FLECTOR® Patch were skin reactions (including itching, inflamed skin, burning) at the site of treatment, stomach discomfort or intestine problems (including nausea, altered taste, upset stomach), and nervous disorders (including headache, tingling of the skin, sleepiness).

Avoid contact of FLECTOR® Patch with eyes, nose, or mouth, and wash hands after applying, handling, or removing FLECTOR® Patch. FLECTOR® Patch still contains medicine even after use. Keep all FLECTOR® Patches out of the reach of children and pets. If a child or pet puts FLECTOR® Patch in their mouth, seek medical help immediately. Children should not use FLECTOR® Patch.

Please see accompanying full Prescribing Information, including boxed warning and click here to view www.FlectorPatch.com for full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide. Be sure to read the complete Medication Guide for NSAIDs at the end of the full Prescribing Information.

About King Pharmaceuticals®, Inc.

King, headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee, is a vertically integrated branded pharmaceutical company. King, an S&P 500 Index company, seeks to capitalize on opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry through the development, including through in-licensing arrangements and acquisitions, of novel branded prescription pharmaceutical products that complement the Company’s focus in specialty-driven markets, particularly neuroscience, hospital care. King’s wholly owned subsidiary, Alpharma, Inc., is also a leader in the development, registration, manufacturing and marketing of pharmaceutical products for food producing animals.

About the American Pain Foundation Survey

The survey was conducted online between July 27 and 30, 2009, by Greenfield Online for the American Pain Foundation and made possible by support from King Pharmaceuticals®, Inc. The margin of error for the total sample of 2192 online Americans is ±2%. A total of 1267 people reported having acute back pain or other minor strains or sprains in the last year. For more information, visit http://www.PainFoundation.org.

About RealAge.com

RealAge.com is a healthy-lifestyle Web site that inspires its members to “Live Life to the Youngest” and to pursue their health and wellness goals by making their RealAge younger. The site offers the patented RealAge Test, the most widely used method for measuring overall health, and is the official online home of the YOU Docs, Michael Roizen, MD, and Mehmet Oz, MD, and their best-selling RealAge and YOU books. Over 27 million people have measured their RealAge by taking the RealAge Test and have received a personalized plan to make their RealAge younger. This leading healthy-lifestyle Web site also features more than 65 additional health-risk assessments, as well as health tips and information, all backed by current, valid science. RealAge.com is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hearst Magazines, a division of the Hearst Corporation.

References: 1. American Pain Foundation, Recession survey. http://www.painfoundation.org. Accessed September 21, 2009. 2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Sprains and strains again most common workplace injury. http://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2006/nov/wk3/art01.htm. Published November 20, 2006. Accessed May 28, 2009. 3. National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Questions & Answers About Sprains and Strains. Bethesda, MD: National Institutes of Health; 2004. NIH publication 04-5328. 4. Flector Patch [package insert]. Piscataway, NJ: Alpharma Pharmaceuticals LLC; 2009. 5. Drugs@FDA. Silver Spring, MD: Food and Drug Administration; 2009. http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/. Updated April 30, 2009. Accessed April 30, 2009.

FLECTOR is a registered trademark of IBSA.

RealAge is a registered trademark of RealAge, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 King Pharmaceuticals®, Inc. All rights reserved.

FLE6506            09/2009

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