Allergy Product in New Bubble Gum Flavor for Ages Two Years and Older

FT. WASHINGTON, Pa., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., today announced the availability of Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup, a new sugar-free, dye-free bubble gum flavor product used to treat perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as upper respiratory allergies, in children ages two years and older. Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup relieves kids' indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms. The new children's product is available in original prescription strength without a prescription in local retail stores starting today.

"The new sugar-free, dye-free children's allergy product offers the allergy relief of ZYRTEC(R) that parents have relied on for years, but without the addition of corn syrup or food dyes," said Rohinish Hooda, Vice President of Marketing, Upper Respiratory, McNeil Consumer Healthcare. "Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup is an important addition to our pediatric portfolio to help parents manage their child's indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms."

Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup, which is available in a convenient plastic bottle, received approval from the Food and Drug Administration in August 2008 to treat indoor and outdoor allergy symptoms for 24 hours. ZYRTEC(R) has a variety of products in different flavors and forms to help relieve children's allergy symptoms. These products are available in the original prescription strength without a prescription and include Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Grape Syrup and sugar-free, dye-free Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup for ages two years and older, as well as Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Chewables for ages six years and older. ZYRTEC(R) also offers Children's ZYRTEC(R) Hives Relief Syrup for ages six years and older. For more information on Children's ZYRTEC(R) Allergy Bubble Gum Syrup and the portfolio of ZYRTEC(R) allergy products for adults and children, visit www.zyrtec.com.

About Allergies

More than 36 million Americans suffer from indoor and outdoor allergic rhinitis, also known as upper respiratory allergies. Up to 40 percent of children are affected by allergic rhinitis. In fact, on any given day, an estimated 10,000 American children miss school because of allergic rhinitis, for an annual total of two million lost school days. Allergies are caused when a person's immune system overreacts to normally harmless substances. These substances are often referred to as triggers. People can encounter indoor and outdoor allergy triggers anytime throughout the year that can lead to allergy symptoms. For children with allergies, the change of the seasons, sports, and even the school building itself can trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose and itchy-watery eyes.

About ZYRTEC(R)

ZYRTEC(R) is an antihistamine that helps block the action of histamine in the body. ZYRTEC(R) helps provide 24 hour relief of indoor and outdoor upper respiratory allergy symptoms including symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy-watery eyes. These symptoms can be caused by allergy triggers such as dust, mold and pet dander, tree pollen, weeds and grasses. ZYRTEC(R) offers a full line of products for adults, including ZYRTEC(R) tablets and ZYRTEC-D(R), as well as children. For more information about full line of ZYRTEC(R) products, visit www.zyrtec.com.

About McNeil Consumer Healthcare

McNeil Consumer Healthcare, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, markets a broad range of well-known and trusted over-the-counter (OTC) products. McNeil Consumer Healthcare is most widely recognized for the complete line of TYLENOL(R) acetaminophen products, the leading pain reliever brand in the adult and pediatric categories. The TYLENOL(R) product line consists of hundreds of products across a variety of pain categories including: arthritis pain, pain with accompanying sleeplessness and upper respiratory. Other McNeil Consumer Healthcare brands include BENADRYL(R) allergy medicine; IMODIUM(R) A-D anti-diarrheal; MOTRIN(R) IB; PediaCare(R) upper respiratory medicines for children; ROLAIDS(R) antacid products; ST. JOSEPH(R) Adult Regimen Aspirin; and SUDAFED(R) and SUDAFED PE(R) nasal decongestants.

    CONTACTS:
    Teresa Panas                     Kathryn Ritzinger
    McNeil Consumer Healthcare       Cohn & Wolfe
    (908) 904-3198                   (212) 537-8217
    tpanas@its.jnj.com               kathryn.ritzinger@cohnwolfe.com

SOURCE McNeil Consumer Healthcare