Star of the Batman(TM) Television Series Leads Crusade for Baby Boomers to Recognize Importance of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Star of the Batman(TM) Television Series Leads Crusade for Baby Boomers to Recognize Importance of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Adam West and his wife team up to raise awareness of enlarged prostate due to BPH, the most common prostate problem in men

BRIDGEWATER, N.J., May 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The star of the Batman(TM) television series Adam West and his wife Marcelle West, are teaming up to raise awareness among baby boomers about the importance of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). While medical conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure remain on the health radar screens of men, common conditions like enlarged prostate due to BPH are often overlooked. Although it is one of the most common health problems in older men, many men may tolerate the symptoms of the condition and therefore, it remains undiagnosed and untreated.

BPH affects nearly eight million men in the United States. It causes urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, hesitancy, intermittency, feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, and weak urinary stream. However, many men tolerate the symptoms because they are misunderstood as a sign of aging. Adam and Marcelle are leading the Unmasking BPH campaign (http://www.talkaboutbph.com/), which aims to educate men and women about BPH, and to encourage men to talk with their physician to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment for their condition.

Adam West was living with symptoms of BPH for more than five years before seeing a doctor. Prior to his diagnosis and treatment, he began to change his daily routine to accommodate his urinary symptoms, which included frequency and urgency. West would take note of the bathroom locations wherever he went and withdrew from activities that he once enjoyed such as skiing, long car trips and going out to dinner and the movies. Additionally, his symptoms increased at night, causing him and his wife to lose sleep, which resulted in fatigue the next day. His wife noticed that it was affecting their lives and urged him to see a doctor.

"It was difficult for me to acknowledge my symptoms and to seek help by talking to my doctor because I thought that this was a sign of getting old," said West. "It may be surprising, but even 'superheroes' have to deal with health issues like BPH. When I visited my doctor, he recommended Uroxatral(R) (alfuzosin HCl), a medical treatment to help manage my symptoms."

About half of all men over age 50 and as many as 90 percent of men over age 70 are affected by BPH. If left untreated, the symptoms can put men at risk for sexual dysfunction, bladder infections and kidney damage.

"The most common symptoms of BPH involve changes or problems with urination that disrupt a man's life with frequent interruptions on a daily basis," said Robert Salant, M.D., clinical associate professor of Urology, New York University. "Effective therapies are available to help manage these symptoms and reduce the need for men to change their daily routine."

The Importance of Women's Role in Men's Health

According to the National Women's Health Resource Center (NWHRC), women are the "health managers of the family." In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that women make three-quarters of health care decisions for their families and are more likely to be the caregivers when a family member falls ill. To this point, Marcelle is encouraging women to open a dialogue with their husbands and encourage them to seek a diagnosis and treatment to manage their symptoms.

"It was difficult for me to address this health issue with Adam, but as his symptoms increased, our lives changed," said Marcelle West. "It's important for women to take an active role and to speak with their husbands/partners about their conditions, and to encourage them to see a doctor."

For tips about how to start a dialogue with your physician and obtain more information on BPH and treatment options, visit the Unmasking BPH Web site at http://www.talkaboutbph.com/ . The site consists of educational materials for men age 50+ and their wives, including a symptom checklist, information about BPH. Additionally, men can fill out a form, which acknowledges their commitment to see a doctor and to talk about their urinary symptoms, among other health issues.

The National Women's Health Resource Center is participating in the campaign to help provide women with tips and advice on how to start a conversation with their husbands about sensitive health conditions, such as BPH, and encourage their men to take action. This tip sheet will also be available at http://www.healthywomen.org/ .

About Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

BPH is defined as a progressive condition in which prostate cells grow more rapidly than normal and cause the prostate to become enlarged. About half of all men over age 50 and as many as 90 percent of men over age 70 are affected by BPH. Symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common involve changes or problems with urination that disrupt a man's personal and professional life with interruptions on a daily basis. Symptoms of BPH include frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, hesitancy, intermittency, weak urinary stream, and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.

About Uroxatral

Uroxatral (alfuzosin HCl), is indicated for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Uroxatral, a selective alpha(1)-blocker (alpha(1) receptor subtype), works by relieving symptoms of urinary obstruction by relaxing the tone of the smooth muscle surrounding the prostate gland, bladder neck and prostatic urethra.

Important Safety Information

Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking the antifungal drugs ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.

The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache and tiredness. UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure.

Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.

Also tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for, a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.

BPH is not cancerous and does not lead to cancer. But men can have both BPH and prostate cancer.

For full prescribing information, please log on to http://www.uroxatral.com/ .

About sanofi-aventis

Sanofi-aventis is the world's third-largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. Sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York (NYSE:SNY).

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. These statements include financial projections and estimates and their underlying assumptions, statements regarding plans, objectives and expectations with respect to future operations, products and services, and statements regarding future performance. Forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words "expect," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "plans" and similar expressions. Although sanofi-aventis' management believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, investors are cautioned that forward-looking information and statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of sanofi-aventis, that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. These risks and uncertainties include those discussed or identified in the public filings with the SEC and the AMF made by sanofi-aventis, including those listed under "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in sanofi-aventis' annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2004. Other than as required by applicable law, sanofi-aventis does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements.

Media contact: Chris Vancheri 908 243 6776 or christopher.vancheri@sanofi-aventis.com

Marisol Peron 908 243 7592 or marisol.peron@sanofi-aventis.com

BATMAN and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and (C) DC Comics. TM and (C) Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

Source: Sanofi-aventis

CONTACT: Media, Chris Vancheri, +1-908-243-6776,
christopher.vancheri@sanofi-aventis.com; or Marisol Peron, +1-908-243-7592,
marisol.peron@sanofi-aventis.com, both of Sanofi-aventis

Web site: http://www.sanofi-aventis.com/
http://www.talkaboutbph.com/
http://www.uroxatral.com/
http://www.healthywomen.org/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/232375.html

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