Three strong findings:
There is no evidence-based alternative to the AREDS formulation1)
Has the AREDS study design not yet fully convinced you? Two Cochrane reviews now substantiate the results of the well-known study. The body of evidence is now more than conclusive.
”Taking antioxidant vitamins plus zinc probably slows down the progression to late AMD and vision loss (moderate-certainty evidence).”
The use of divergent formulations (not AREDS compliant) mean that your patients are not receiving the best available AMD treatment. With PROMACULA® you are recommending the current scientific standard.
Lutein alone is insufficient –
neither for prevention nor treatment1,2)
The Cochrane reviews on the subject of AMD prevention and AMD progression both come to the same conclusion: there is insufficient evidence for the sole use of lutein or zeaxanthin, although these preparation are still very popular on the market.
“Taking vitamin E or beta-carotene supplements will not prevent or delay the onset of AMD. (…) There is no evidence with respect to other antioxidant supplements, such as lutein and zeaxanthin.”
“Supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin are heavily marketed for people with age-related macular degeneration but our review shows they may have little or no effect on the progression of AMD.”
If your patients take pure lutein preparations or similar for preventing AMD, the current data does not support a guaranteed protective effect. Prompt administration of AREDS supplements from PROMACULA® on the other hand have been scientifically proven.
10 years of long-term data show:
It concerns permanent and
certain reduction of risk.3)
The AREDS follow-up study shows a sustained risk reduction with regard to the development of advanced AMD (category 4). After 10 years, the rate of progression in the placebo group was 44 % – in comparison, it was only 34 % in the group receiving the AREDS supplements. The long-term data did not show any serious side effects. There was no significant increase in hospitalisations.
Recommend a preparation to your patients which is AREDS compliant so that you can be confident that also the long-term data substantiates your decision. PROMACULA® gives you prescribing confidence.
(1) Evans JR, Lawrenson JG; Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for slowing the progression of age-related macular degeneration (Review), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017 Jul;(7).
(2) Evans JR, Lawrenson JG; Antioxidant vitamin and mineral supplements for preventing age-related macular degeneration (Review), Cochrane Database of Systematic Review 2017 Jul;(7).
(3) Chew EY et al.; Long-Term Effects of Vitamins C and E, ß-Carotene, and Zinc on Age-Related Macular Degeneration, AREDS Report No. 35, Ophthalmology, 2013 Aug;120(8):1604-11.
