Weddings Can Be Time of `Achoo' Instead Of `I Do'


ATLANTA, June 12, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- For brides who suffer from allergies, their wedding day activities list should include taking their allergy medications or they may be saying "achoo" instead of "I do."

"There you are at the altar, holding a big bouquet of flowers that can cause your allergies to kick in," says wedding consultant Martha A. Woodham, author of "The Bride Did What?! Etiquette for the Wedding Impaired" and "Wedding Etiquette for Divorced Families: Tasteful Advice for Planning a Beautiful Wedding." "No bride wants her priceless wedding videos and photographs marred by sneezing or red, itchy eyes. That's one memory you don't want to keep."

June, the peak wedding season, is also a peak time for pollen. In addition, Woodham points out, many weddings are lavishly decorated with flowers, from the corsage on grandma to the centerpieces at the reception. And popular outdoor weddings could trigger severe allergy attacks for guests as well as the wedding party.

"When you visit your doctor for your pre-wedding checkup, ask about allergy medications," says Dr. Reza Haque, a Clinical Research Scientist at Novartis Ophthalmics North America. "A fast-acting prescription eye drop is most effective in preventing itchy allergy eyes.

"In the rushed hours before a wedding, it's easy for a bride to overlook her allergy medication. Put it on your list of last-minute things to do so you won't forget," adds Dr. Haque.

Every bride should take an emergency kit to the church. In addition to pantyhose, makeup and spot remover, the kit should also contain fast-acting prescription allergy eye drops such as Zaditor( (ketotifen fumarate ophthalmic solution, 0.025%) from Novartis Ophthalmics. It provides relief for itchy eyes within minutes and lasts up to 12 hours, long enough to get a bride through the ceremony, photo session and reception.

"Don't forget the groom!" Woodham says. "With all eyes on the bride, it's easy to overlook him, but he may be the sensitive one."

Background on Novartis Ophthalmics

With worldwide headquarters in Bulach, Switzerland, Novartis Ophthalmics is a global leader in research, development and manufacturing of leading ophthalmic pharmaceuticals that assist in the treatment of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, eye inflammation, ocular allergies and other diseases and disorders of the eye. Novartis Ophthalmics products are available in more than 110 different countries. The North American headquarters is based in Atlanta, Ga. Novartis Ophthalmics has production sites in Switzerland, France and Canada. For more information, please go to the web site www.novartisophthalmics.com/us.

Background on Novartis AG

Novartis AG (NYSE:NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2002, the Group's businesses achieved sales of CHF 32.4 billion (USD 20.9 billion) and a net income of CHF 7.3 billion (USD 4.7 billion). The Group invested approximately CHF 4.3 billion (USD 2.8 billion) in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 72 900 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com



            

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