The
Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7129 p35January 06, 2001
The
Pharmaceutical Journal Vol 266 No 7129 p35
January 06, 2001
Astra Zeneca has updated the summaries of product characteristics for Zoladex (3.6mg goserelin) injection and Zoladex LA (10.8mg goserelin) injection. The undesirable effects section now states that, as with other agents in this class, very rare cases of pituitary apoplexy have been reported following initial administration of Zoladex 3.6mg. Non-specific paraesthesias have been recorded following administration of Zoladex 3.6mg and a statement referring to this has been added to both SPCs. The statement “Store below 25C” has been changed to “Do not store above 25C”.
Co-Aprovel tablets, containing a combination of irbesartan 150mg or 300mg and hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg, co-marketed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi-Synthelabo, have been launched. The product is indicated for the treatment of essential hypertension in patients whose blood pressure is not adequately controlled on irbesartan or hydrochlorothiazide alone (net price, 28 150mg/12.5mg £16.45, 300mg/12.5mg £22.21).
Dominion Pharma has added betahistine hydrochloride tablets to its product range (net price, 8mg 120 £6.18, 16mg 84 £14.06).
Bayer Healthcare has announced that the expiry date on some of its Ciproxin intravenous infusion Flexibags 200mg/100ml, batch number GAHET1, is incorrect. The company says that so far two Flexibags from the batch have been identified as stating the expiry date as 10-200 instead of 10-2001. If further individual Flexibags are identified as having an incorrect date, they may be used or returned to Bayer for credit and the company’s customer services should be contacted (tel 01635 563000).
Micardis (telmisartan) 20mg tablets have been introduced by Boehringer Ingelheim (net price, 28 £12.60).
Stocks of Alliance Pharmaceuticals’s Broflex (trihexyphenidyl hydrochloride) 5mg/5ml, pack size 200ml, will be temporarily unavailable. The company says that this is because of a manufacturing delay. Current stocks are being rationed and emergency stocks will be retained.
Over the past few months, supplies of Astra Zeneca’s Xylocaine (lidocaine) 1 per cent with adrenaline 1:200,000 injection and Xylocaine 2 per cent with adrenaline 1:200,000 injection, pack size 5 x 20ml vials have been restricted. The company anticipates that normal supply will resume during April. Supplies of Tenif capsules (atenolol 50mg, nifedipine 20mg) have also been restricted and the company says that normal stock levels will be available during March.
Merck Sharp & Dohme has deleted Aldomet 125mg tablets (methyldopa) from its product range and no further stocks are available. Aldomet 250mg and 500mg tablets remain available. The company will also be deleting Mintezol 500mg tablets (thiabendazole) and expects stocks of this product to be exhausted by mid-February Janssen-Cilag has discontinued Ortho Dienoestrol cream (dienestrol 0.01 per cent). The company says that its alternative preparations Ortho-Gynest cream (estriol 0.01 per cent) and pessary (estriol 0.5mg) will continue to be available Bristol-Myers Squibb has discontinued Pronestyl 250mg tablets (procainamide). The company says that it has stocks of this product remaining and expects stocks to last for three months.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals has redesigned the bottle of its Pentasa (mesalazine)
1g/100ml enema. The company says that this has been done to improve both ease
of use and comfort of administration. The new presentation will be supplied
from January and any orders that were placed after December 12, 2000 will be
fulfilled with the new presentation after January 2 (net price, pack of seven
£19.45). Further information can be obtained from the company’s customer
services department (tel 01753 214864).
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Pharmax has redesigned the packaging of Balmosa cream (menthol 2 per cent, methyl salicylate 4 per cent, camphor 4 per cent, capsicum oleoresin 0.035 per cent), pack size 40g.
Shire Pharmaceuticals has introduced the Shire livery to the packaging of
Mintec (peppermint oil) capsules, pack size 84. The company says that the first
two batches of printed cartons state in error that the legal category of the
product is a prescription only medicine. The product remains a general sale
list product and subsequent batches will state the correct legal category. The
summary of product characteristics for Mintec capsules has also been updated.
Information on when it is necessary to consult a doctor prior to or during treatment
has been added to the special warnings and precautions for use section (see
SPC for details).
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SHS International has introduced gluten-free sweet biscuits into its Juvela range. The biscuits, which are Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) approved for prescribing, are also wheat-free and have a vanilla flavour. They are available in 150g boxes containing 14 biscuits (net price, case of six boxes £12.60).
Sinclair Pharmaceuticals has launched Aloclair mouthwash for the treatment of mouth ulcers and other painful oral lesions including ulceration due to poorly fitting dentures. The company says that the product contains, among other ingredients, Aloe Vera, to soothe the pain, polyvinylpyrrolidine, which forms a thin film over the ulcer and glycyrrhetinic acid, which is believed to have an anti-inflammatory action. The product can be used by adults and children who are old enough to follow the instructions and 10ml should be rinsed around the mouth for about a minute three to four times daily, or as necessary (retail price, 120ml £8.95).
Smithkline Beecham has relaunched its Macleans mouthwash range under the name
Macleans complete care mouthwash.
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