Products

Prescription Products Nolvadex and Nolvadex D Novartis SPC changes Lederfen tablets Dominion products Genus products Product transfer Discontinued Isoprenaline Minijets Pronestyl tablets Counter medicines Remegel Wind Relief tablets Pollenase range Dulco-lax Perles Medised suspension Miscellany Flight Socks Antistax capsules Recall Epaderm ointment

Prescription Products Nolvadex and Nolvadex D The summaries of product characteristics for AstraZeneca's Nolvadex (tamoxifen) 10mg tablets and Nolvadex D 20mg tablets have been updated. The undesirable effects section now states that very rarely, cases of interstitial pneumonitis have been reported. The statement “Store below 30C, protected from light” has been replaced by “Do not store above 30C. Store in the original container”. Novartis SPC changes Novartis Pharmaceuticals has revised the summaries of product characteristics for Estraderm (estradiol) MX patches, Estraderm TTS patches, Estrapak 50 (estradiol patches and norethisterone acetate 1mg tablets) and Estracombi TTS. The SPCs for these products additionally include warnings on breast cancer and venous thromboembolism. Lederfen tablets The data sheet for Wyeth Laboratories’s Lederfen (fenbufen) capsules has been replaced by a summary of product characteristics. Additional information about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has been included. Dominion products Dominion Pharma has introduced the following products into its product range: Lotriderm (betamethasone dipropionate 0.064 per cent, clotrimazole 1 per cent) cream 30g (net price, £6.34) and Oxybutynin hydrochloride tablets, pack size 84 (net price, 2.5mg £7.71, 5mg £20.77). Genus products Genus Pharmaceuticals has launched bisoprolol tablets (net price, 5mg 28 £8, 10mg 28 £9) and cefotaxime injections, pack size 1 vial (net price, 500mg £2.25, 1g £4.50, 2g £9). Product transfer Betim (timolol maleate) 10mg tablets and Prestim (timolol maleate 10mg, bendrofluazide 2.5mg) tablets will be transferred from Leo Pharmaceuticals to ICN Pharmaceuticals, from March 31. Leo Pharmaceuticals says that from this date, orders should be placed with Exel (tel 01295 228817, fax 01295 228826) and ICN Pharmaceuticals should be contacted for medical information inquiries (tel 01256 707744). Back to Top

Discontinued Isoprenaline Minijets Celltech Medeva has discontinued Isoprenaline Minijets, with immediate effect. The company says that this is because it has been unable to obtain further supplies of the raw material for the product. Pronestyl tablets Bristol-Myers Squibb says that stocks of Pronestyl (procainamide) tablets are now exhausted (PJ, January 6, p35). Back to Top

Counter medicines Remegel Wind Relief tablets Remegel Wind Relief tablets have been launched by SSL International. The company says that the general sale list product, which contains calcium carbonate 800mg and simethicone 125mg, helps to relieve trapped wind and bloating (retail price, 8 £1.25, 24 £3.49). Pollenase range Peach Pharmaceuticals is launching a range of products for hay fever sufferers. The pharmacy only range includes Pollenase antihistamine (chlorpheniramine 4mg) tablets, pack size 30 (net price, £1.25; retail price, £2.25), Pollenase allergy (sodium chromoglycate 2 per cent) eye drops 10ml (net price, £2.11; retail price, £3.75) and Pollenase hayfever (beclometasone 50µg) nasal spray, 200 dose, (net price, £2.80; retail price, £4.99). Dulco-lax Perles Dulco-lax Perles, containing sodium picosulphate 2.5mg per capsule, have been launched by Boehringer Ingelheim. The pharmacy only product is not recommended for children under four years of age and is available in packs of 50 (retail price, 50 £4.59). Medised suspension The package labelling for both Medised original (paracetamol 120mg/5ml, promethazine hydrochloride 1.5mg/5ml) and Medised colour and sugar-free suspensions, pack size 140ml, has been amended. The minimum age limit for using the products has been increased from one to two years. Further information can be obtained from SSL International (tel 0161 652 2222). Back to Top

Miscellany Flight Socks Flight Socks, to help prevent deep vein thrombosis when flying long-haul, have been launched by Scholl (see p380). The socks are available in foot sizes 3-6, 6-9 and 9-12 (retail price, per pair, £11.95). Antistax capsules Boehringer Ingelheim is launching Antistax capsules. The company says that the product contains red vine leaf extract 180mg and can be used to help maintain leg vein circulation. For adults, two capsules should be taken in the morning, with water. The product should not be taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding (retail price, 20 £3.99, 50 £7.99. Back to Top

Recall Epaderm ointment 500g (March 20) SSL International has recalled the following batch of Epaderm ointment: Batch number E0700E Expiry date July, 2002 Pack size 500g This batch, which should be odourless, has been contaminated with traces of perfume during manufacture. Recipients are requested to quarantine stock and return it to their supplier for credit or replacement. Further information can be obtained from SSL International (tel 0161 652 2222). This recall is in addition to that for two other batches of Epaderm ointment 500g which were recalled earlier this year. The full list is below
Epaderm ointment 500g recalls
Batch numbers		Expiry date
E0700C		July, 2002
E0700D		July, 2002
E0700E		July, 2002
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