Horizon Pharma, Inc. announced that Horizon-labeled VIMOVO (naproxen/esomeprazole magnesium) delayed-release tablets are now available to U.S. physicians. VIMOVO is approved for the relief of signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis and to decrease the risk of stomach (gastric) ulcers in patients at risk of developing stomach ulcers from treatment with NSAIDs. VIMOVO is a proprietary fixed-dose combination of enteric-coated naproxen, a pain-relieving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and immediate-release esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor (PPI).

The company expects to begin the commercial launch of Horizon-labeled VIMOVO with its primary care sales force on February 3, 2014. NSAIDs are effective at providing pain and inflammation relief associated with OA and RA. However, there are significant upper GI-associated adverse events which can result from such treatments and patients with OA and RA taking NSAIDs are at increased risk for upper GI ulcers.